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gourmet four-cheese macaroni and cheese

Gourmet Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Step up your homemade mac and cheese game with this decadent recipe!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 675 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb dried elbow pasta You could also use fusilli, rotini, or cavatappi.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2-1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese divided and measured after grating
  • 1 cup gruyere cheese divided and measured after grating
  • 1 cup asiago cheese
  • 1 cup fontina cheese
  • 1/2 tbsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp paprika

Instructions
 

Gourmet Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Set aside.

Gourmet Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking.
  • Grate cheeses and toss together to mix, then divide into three piles. Approximately 3 cups for the sauce, 1-1/2 cups for the inner layer, and 1-1/2 cups for the topping.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in about 2 cups or so of the milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until smooth. Slowly pour in the remaining milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
  • Continue to heat over MED heat, whisking very often, until thickened.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in spices and 1-1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1-1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1-1/2 cups of grated cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture.
  • Sprinkle the top with the last 1-1/2 cups of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.

Notes

Feel free to add mix-ins as you like! Bacon, tomatoes, ham, chicken, whatever your heart desires!

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 30gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 1017mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1155IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 658mgIron: 2mg
Keyword comfort food, Southern Food
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