Creamy Baked Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese
This rich and creamy baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort dish! Made with a blend of sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, and mozzarella, every bite is perfectly cheesy and flavorful. The pasta is coated in a smooth, homemade sauce, then baked until golden and bubbly for that irresistible finish. Simple, comforting, and guaranteed to impress at any meal.
11/2/20252 min read
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Servings: 8–10
Ingredients:
1 lb corkscrew pasta (cavatappi)
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 lb smoked gouda cheese, shredded
1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
½–1 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
2–3 cups heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard (or ground mustard/yellow mustard)
1 splash hot sauce (optional, for balance)
1 tsp garlic powder (to taste)
1 tsp onion powder (to taste)
1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika (to taste)
Salt & pepper (to taste)
Chicken broth (for cooking pasta)
Directions:
Prep the cheese:
Shred all the cheeses.
Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water or chicken broth to a boil.
Cook pasta until just under al dente (1–2 minutes less than package directions).
Drain and stir in a scoop of sour cream while pasta is still warm. Set aside.
Make the cheese sauce:
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper). Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until bubbling and slightly golden.
Slowly whisk in evaporated milk until smooth.
Add heavy cream, whisking continuously.
Stir in mustard and a splash of hot sauce.
Let sauce simmer gently for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
Reduce heat to low, then add cheeses in small handfuls, whisking until melted and smooth.
Reserve 1–2 cups of mixed cheese for topping.
Combine pasta and sauce:
Stir cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
Bake:
Pour mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Layer with reserved cheese, sprinkling evenly on top.
Bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving for best texture.
Mac & Cheese
