Creamy Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Recipe That Wows Everyone

Creamy four cheese baked macaroni promises a mouthwatering journey through comfort food paradise.

Cheese lovers will find themselves transported by this indulgent dish.

Rich, melted varieties create a luxurious texture that hugs every pasta curve.

Unexpected ingredient combinations elevate this classic recipe beyond ordinary expectations.

Mediterranean and alpine cheeses blend seamlessly, creating depth and complexity.

Bold flavors marry perfectly with al dente pasta shells.

Savor each spoonful and let the cheesy magic unfold on your plate.

Why Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Is Cheesy Goodness

• Create Cheesy Comfort: Dive into a classic mac and cheese that delivers pure, warm satisfaction with its incredibly rich and velvety cheese sauce.
• Customize Your Crunch: Play with the breadcrumb topping by adding herbs or different types of crumbs to make this recipe uniquely yours, perfect for personal culinary creativity.
• Gather Around the Table: This crowd-pleasing dish brings families and friends together, transforming an ordinary meal into a memorable shared experience with its irresistible cheesy goodness.
• Simple Skill Builder: Perfect for home cooks of all levels, this recipe teaches fundamental cooking techniques like making a roux and creating a smooth cheese sauce while delivering delicious results.

Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Ingredient List

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that perfectly captures and holds the creamy cheese sauce.

• Butter: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for the cheese sauce and adds depth of flavor.
• Flour: Creates a roux that thickens the sauce and gives it a silky texture.
• Whole Milk: Delivers a creamy base that helps bind the cheese sauce together.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Gruyère Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: A combination of cheeses that offers a complex, rich, and melty flavor profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Mustard Powder: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the mac and cheese.

• Breadcrumbs, Olive Oil: Create a golden, crispy crust that adds texture and a delightful crunch to the dish.

How To Bake Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a generous coating of grease to keep everything from sticking.

Step 2: Cook Pasta To Perfection

Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create A Buttery Base

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden and becomes foamy.

Step 4: Whip Up A Roux

Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking to create a smooth mixture. Cook for a few minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 5: Build A Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour whole milk into the roux, whisking constantly to keep things silky smooth and prevent any pesky lumps.

Step 6: Spice It Up

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Mustard powder

Stir until everything is well mixed.

Step 7: Cheese Melting Magic

• Cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Gruyère
• Parmesan

Stir until they melt into a luxurious, smooth sauce.

Step 8: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Gently mix the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every single pasta piece gets a loving coat of cheesy goodness.

Step 9: Prepare For Baking

Transfer the cheesy macaroni into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10: Create A Crunchy Topping

Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil until they’re perfectly moistened and form a light, crumbly texture.

Step 11: Add The Crispy Layer

Sprinkle the olive oil-coated breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni, creating a promise of golden, crispy deliciousness.

Step 12: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for a gorgeous golden-brown top and bubbling edges.

Step 13: Let It Rest

Give the macaroni and cheese a 10-minute breather after baking. This helps the cheese set and makes slicing a breeze.

Tips To Make Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Better

• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Thoroughly grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
• Master Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni exactly 8-9 minutes for al dente perfection, avoiding mushy or hard pasta that can ruin the dish's texture.
• Create Smooth Cheese Sauce: Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps, creating a silky béchamel base that coats pasta evenly.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a pinch of mustard powder and garlic powder to enhance the cheese sauce's complexity and round out the taste profile.
• Achieve Crispy Topping: Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil before sprinkling to guarantee a golden, crunchy crust that adds delightful texture contrast.

Fun Ways To Switch Up Four Cheese Baked Macaroni

• Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, use gluten-free pasta, and swap breadcrumbs for crushed gluten-free crackers.
• Vegan Comfort Mac: Substitute dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese alternatives. Use olive oil instead of butter and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Protein-Packed Mac: Incorporate cooked ground turkey, shredded chicken, or crumbled plant-based protein. Mix in diced vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli for extra nutrition and texture.
• Spicy Southwest Mac: Add diced jalapeños, chili powder, smoked paprika, and top with crispy chorizo or black beans. Incorporate pepper jack cheese for an extra kick of heat and complexity.

What Pairs Well With Four Cheese Baked Macaroni

• Elevate Your Mac and Cheese Experience
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, creamy cheese sauce, providing a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate.
• Complement with Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness, adding bright, tangy notes that enhance the mac and cheese's depth.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside herb-roasted Brussels sprouts or garlic-infused broccoli, introducing earthy flavors and nutritional balance to the indulgent pasta.
• Enhance with Dry Rosé: A chilled rosé wine offers a fruity, acidic touch that perfectly counteracts the cheese's richness, creating a delightful dining experience.

How To Store Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled mac and cheese to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish.

FAQs About Four Cheese Baked Macaroni

• How do I prevent my mac and cheese from being dry?

Use whole milk and don’t overcook the pasta. Cook macaroni just until al dente and ensure your cheese sauce is creamy and well-seasoned before mixing with pasta.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests cheddar, mozzarella, gruyère, and parmesan, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like gouda, fontina, or monterey jack.

• Why should I make a roux for mac and cheese?

A roux helps create a smooth, thick cheese sauce by preventing lumps and providing a rich, velvety texture. Cooking the flour briefly also eliminates any raw flour taste.

Four Cheese Baked Macaroni Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy four cheese baked macaroni delivers pure comfort wrapped in golden, crispy edges. Rich cheese blends melt perfectly, creating a soul-warming dish you cannot resist savoring down to the last delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 340 g (12 oz) elbow macaroni

Cheeses:

• 120 g (4 oz) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 120 g (4 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 90 g (3 oz) gruyère cheese, shredded
• 60 g (2 oz) parmesan cheese, grated

Base and Seasoning:

• 60 ml (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
• 480 ml (2 cups) whole milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp mustard powder

Topping:

• 60 g (1/2 cup) breadcrumbs
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it becomes foamy and golden.
4. Whisk flour into the melted butter, creating a smooth roux, and cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
5. Gradually pour whole milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a creamy béchamel sauce.
6. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder, stirring until well incorporated.
7. Remove sauce from heat and fold in cheddar, mozzarella, gruyère, and parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth.
8. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, gently stirring to ensure every pasta piece is evenly coated.
9. Transfer the cheesy macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
10. Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil until they are thoroughly moistened and form a light, crumbly topping.
11. Sprinkle the olive oil-coated breadcrumbs uniformly over the macaroni to create a golden, crispy crust.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
13. Allow the baked macaroni to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the cheese set and makes cutting easier.

Notes

• Select high-quality, freshly grated cheeses for maximum flavor and smoother melting, avoiding pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
• Toast breadcrumbs before adding to olive oil for extra nutty depth and enhanced crunch in the topping.
• Keep pasta slightly undercooked during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce and oven, preventing mushy texture.
• Experiment with cheese combinations like smoked gouda, fontina, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 690
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 78 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg