This five-cheese mac and cheese is the perfect cheesy dish! Packed with a mix of 5 kinds of cheese it’s a perfect side dish or carb-loaded main course!
For most of my younger life, I grew up living with my mom and step-father. Living in the house was my mom, step-dad, three brothers, and myself.
Basically, my mother and I were totally outnumbered but somehow we managed to survive.
The one plus side of being the only girl in a house of boys is that you get your own bedroom. So while all three of my brothers had to squeeze into one room I had the luxury of living like a queen in a room all to myself.
The downside of being the only girl in a house of boys is that I was constantly being picked on.
I cannot tell you how many times I was chased around my yard while my brothers pelted me with crabapples.
One of the other positives about growing up in a house full of siblings is the food. Oh man, the food.
My mom knew how to deliver at dinner time.
In true Ohio fashion, there were lots of casseroles and every single meal came with sliced bread and jam. Which I sorta miss. As an adult, I forget about serving up white bread with butter and jam
And by butter, I mean Country Crock.
Want mac and cheese with a twist? Try this smoked mac and cheese!
Now, about this mac and cheese.
My mom would normally have to make 2 huge dishes to feed us all and each of us would rush to scoop from the corner first.
Why the corner? Because of the lovely little crispy bits – THE BEST!
This mac and cheese is not like your typical mac and cheese.
It’s not made from a melted cheese sauce so it’s more stringy cheese than creamy cheese.
This dish is hands down my favorite meal my mom makes.
Even though I have the recipe {and now sharing it with you} the downside is that it never quite tastes the same.
My mom must have magic hands because I just can’t seem to get it to taste exactly like hers.
Or maybe it’s just because food from your mom always tastes better.
I think that’s it.
Love this five cheese mac and cheese?
Why not try a few of my other delicious mac and cheese recipes?!
- Love mac and cheese with a gourmet twist? Try my Gorgonzola Bacon Mac and Cheese.
- One of my favorite meat and cheese recipes! Try my Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese.
- Looking for a mac and cheese twist? Try my Beer Bratwurst Macaroni and Cheese.
- Need a Tex-Mex style mac and cheese? Try my Poblano Macaroni and Cheese.
Five Cheese Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded colby cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
- When the water is boiling add in macaroni and cook until al dente.
- Drain and set aside until needed.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl add all the cheese and stir to combine.
- In a 9×13 dish add butter cubes evenly over the bottom.
- Add in half the pasta and cover with half the shredded cheese.
- Top with remaining pasta and remaining cheese.
- Drizzle milk over the top of the mac and cheese and add to the oven.
- Once the cheese has started to melt, about 10 minutes, open the oven and stir the mac and cheese together.
- Bake for another 20 minutes until the top of the mac and cheese is lightly browned.
Notes
- You can also add in a little Velvetta if you wish to give this dish a little more creaminess.
- This is a VERY cheesy mac and cheese that is heavy on the cheese. It is not a creamy cheese sauce type of mac and cheese. It's more about pasta with melted cheese.
Nutrition
C. Lovick
Tuesday 9th of January 2018
You do realize that Mexican blend shredded cheese IS a mixture of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Kinda’ redundant don’t ya think?
nutmegnanny
Sunday 14th of January 2018
Hi C. Lovick - The Mexican blend I buy at the store is actually a mix of Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero and queso quesadilla cheeses. While I realize there is some crossover I like the other cheeses that are in the mix and it's easier for readers to find than to ask them to buy all the separate different cheeses.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Saturday 31st of January 2015
This looks so amazing! I need this ASAP.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Monday 3rd of November 2014
Brandy. . oh my gawd, oh my gawd, oh my gawd. . I've seen three cheese and four cheese but never FIVE cheese. you are brilliant. love and pinned!
Kelly
Monday 24th of March 2014
First, I just stumbled across your blog and love it! All your recipes look delicious! I've been wanting to try a new mac and cheese recipe and I'm definitely going to try this one. I wish I had some right now!
Joanne
Sunday 2nd of March 2014
Moms definitely just make mac and cheese better somehow. No idea how it works or why. but they do. I am in love with the fact that this has FIVE CHEESES. The more the merrier.