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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 lived with my mom and stepfather. They, my stepdad, three brothers, and I shared the house.
My mother and I were outnumbered, but somehow, we managed to survive.
The one plus side of being the only girl in a house of boys is getting your 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 positive aspects of 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 many casseroles, and every meal came with sliced bread and jam, which I sort of miss.
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 typically have to make two huge dishes to feed us all, and we 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 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 am now sharing it with you}, the downside is that it never tastes the same.
My mom must have magic hands because I 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.













I only have brothers, too. I think that’s why I’m a bit sassy. Our cat would catch chipmunks and eat them, leaving only the tail, and my brothers would then pick up the tails and put them down the back of my shirt, just to hear me squeal. My mother would tell me if I didn’t holler, they wouldn’t do it. Uh huh. You try not to scream when that hairy thing is sliding down your back. Clearly, I still haven’t forgiven them entirely. I think I’ve gained 5 pounds this week from just looking at all the delicious mac and cheese recipes that you posted. 🙂 Yum. Just yum.
Omg I need this now. Can you believe the week is over already?
Five Cheeses. Be still my heart. This is on my to-do list for this weekend.
You can never have too much cheese in mac! LOVE!
Oh man, getting hit with a crabapple is the worst!!! I have two brothers and suffered many bruises. PS They were pitchers on their little league teams. Ouch. Anyway, this looks amazing!!! I am soooo loving mac and cheese mania!
There are so many reasons to love you and this recipe is one of them. Pass the cheese!!!
Oh my dear gosh, this is incredible! 5 cheese! Holy heck yes and that fist photo? I mean, wow!
Looks wonderful, I can only imagine the flavor.
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.
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!