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5-Cheese Mac and Cheese

This ultimate 5-cheese mac and cheese recipe is made with Gruyere, Cheddar, American cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. A creamy, comforting dish that will satisfy all your cheese cravings
Course Pasta Recipes
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 - 8 servings
Calories 619kcal
Author Adina

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large saucepan or medium Dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni Note1
  • ¾ cup Cheddar Note 2
  • ¾ cup Gruyere
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan Note 1
  • 6 oz American cheese
  • 1 mozzarella ball 4.5 oz/ 125 g
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ⅛ teaspoon sweet paprika powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • fine sea salt or Kosher and black pepper more to taste
US - EU

Instructions

  • Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and the macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions.
    1 lb elbow macaroni
  • While the pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce.
  • Grate the Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere, and cut the American cheese and mozzarella into small cubes. Set them aside.
    ¾ cup Cheddar + ¾ cup Gruyere + 3 tablespoons Parmesan + 6 oz American cheese + 1 mozzarella ball
  • Cheese sauce: Mix the milk, heavy cream, mustard, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Warm on low heat and stir for about 2 minutes, but don't let it come to a boil.
    1 cup whole milk + ½ cup heavy cream + 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard + ⅛ teaspoon sweet paprika powder + ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika powder + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + fine sea salt or Kosher and black pepper
  • Add all the cheese and stir gently on low heat until the cheese melts. Don't let it become too hot or come to a boil.
  • Combine: Add pasta to the pan and stir well to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of extra cream or milk, and stir again.
  • Adjust the taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. Pasta choice: Any other short pasta is excellent.
  2. Cheese: Use only freshly grated cheese. Pre-grated cheese contains additives that will prevent it from melting nicely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 619kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 997IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 679mg | Iron: 1mg