How to Make the Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Ever!

This homemade macaroni & cheese is amazing! It uses five types of cheeses that give this dish complexity, creaminess, flavor, and familiarity. It's perfect as a standalone dish or as a side! Whatever you decide, you'll go crazy over this delicious recipe for homemade mac and cheese!

Make this homemade mac and cheese for your next family gathering

I make this recipe for all of my family events from Sunday dinners to Thanksgiving. I come from a big southern family, and we take our homemade mac and cheese seriously. Having this honor means a lot to me. But knowing this, I made this recipe so you can impress your friends and family too!

What Makes this the Best Mac & Cheese Ever?

Five cheeses! Need I say more? Ok, I will. I use sharp yellow and white cheddar, gruyere, Havarti, and truffle cheddar in mine! The combinations provide the most complex and delicious flavors for homemade mac and cheese.
I use cavatappi noodles instead of the traditional elbow macaroni noodles. This is because cavatappi noodles absorb more sauce, so you'll get flavor with each bite of your homemade mac and cheese.
Seasoned roux- I believe there are multiple ways to make a good mac and cheese. This recipe incorporates a seasoned roux to give it a creamy well seasoned flavor. It definitely elevates your homemade mac and cheese.

Ingredients Needed for the Mac & Cheese

Cavatappi Pasta
Sharp Yellow Cheddar
Sharp White Cheddar
Havarti Cheese
Gruyere Cheese
Truffle Cheddar Cheese
All Purpose Flour
Butter
Seasonings

Best Practices/Tips

I always recommend building the mac in layers (sauced noodles to cheese) as it will result in even layers.
Bake your macaroni and cheese covered first with aluminum foil. This allows the dish to cook all the layers without burning the top. Reserve 10-15 minutes baked uncovered for a crispy top.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Rest Time 10 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Beginner

Cooking Temp: 350 F

Servings: 8

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Treat yourself to a fan favorite, this comforting five cheese mac and cheese, a rich and creamy dish that redefines cheesy goodness. Made with sharp yellow and white cheddar, Havarti, Truffle Cheddar, and Gruyere, each bite is a gooey, flavorful mouth watering experience.

Easy Five Cheese Mac & Cheese

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz extra sharp white cheddar cheese
8 oz havarti cheese
8 oz truffle cheddar cheese
8 oz Gruyere cheese
16 oz cavatappi pasta
2 cups of whole milk
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper (or more depending on your preference)
2 tsp all purpose seasoning
6 tbsp unsalted butter
6 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tbsp 1-2 kosher salt

Instructions

1
Shred all of your cheeses and add to a large bowl.
2
Cover and sit in the fridge until you’re ready to layer your Mac and cheese.
3
Fill a large pot of water and bring it to a boil.
4
Add your salt and stir until it dissolves.
5
Add your pasta and cook until al dente.
6
While the noodles are boiling, grab a large saucepan and heat on medium low until the pan gets hot.
7
Add the butter.
8
Cooking on medium low prevents the butter from initially burning.
9
As it starts to melt, turn the heat to medium and add the flour.
10
Whisk for 1-2 minutes until the flour is incorporated.
11
Add the milk a little at a time and continuously whisk to get your desired consistency.
12
Add your seasonings and whisk until well combined.
13
Turn the heat off and add a few handfuls of the cheese from the fridge until you get your sauce nice and thick.
14
Once the noodles are done, drain them and add to the original pot it was boiling in.
15
Add the cheese sauce to the noodles and mix until well combined.
16
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
17
Grab a casserole dish and layer your Mac with the sauces, noodles first, then cheese, and repeat.
18
Finish with the final layer of the cheese making sure to cover all corners and empty spaces.
19
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
20
Remove the foil then cook for an additional ten minutes.
21
Let it cool or get your cheese pull in first.
22
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Keywords: homemade, mac and cheese, dinner, side dishes, cheese recipes, macaroni and cheese