Description
Creamy four cheese baked macaroni promises comfort in each heavenly bite, melding sharp cheddar, smooth mozzarella, tangy parmesan, and rich gruyère. Gooey layers of melted cheese embrace tender pasta, offering pure culinary bliss you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup gruyère cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the macaroni won’t stick.
- Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, typically 7-8 minutes, then drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, creating a smooth base for the cheese sauce.
- Whisk the whole milk into the melted butter, gradually incorporating to create a creamy, uniform mixture.
- Gradually add the cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and gruyère cheeses to the milk mixture, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth.
- Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, gently coating each pasta piece thoroughly.
- Transfer the cheesy macaroni to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil to create a crispy, golden topping.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni, providing a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Experiment with different cheese combinations to customize the flavor profile and create a unique taste experience.
- Reserve some pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
- Toast breadcrumbs in a dry skillet before adding to olive oil for an extra nutty and crisp topping that elevates the dish’s overall crunch.
- Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg