Creamy Four Cheese Mac (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1½ boxes (24 oz total) macaroni noodles or cavatappi
02 -
16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
03 -
16 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
04 -
8 oz Gouda cheese, freshly grated
05 -
8 oz mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
06 -
6 cups heavy cream
07 -
4 tablespoons salted butter
08 -
4 oz cream cheese (optional)
09 -
2 teaspoons salt
10 -
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
11 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
12 -
1 teaspoon ground mustard
13 -
1 teaspoon white pepper
14 -
1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
# Instructions:
01 -
Grate all your cheeses using the large holes on a cheese grater. Set them aside and save any small chunks that are too small to grate.
02 -
Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Add the chicken bouillon to the cooking water for extra flavor. Drain when done.
03 -
Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
04 -
Add about half of your grated cheeses to the cream mixture and stir until melted. Add the cream cheese last if using. Let everything melt together on low heat, then season with salt, onion powder, ground mustard, white pepper, and adobo. Taste and adjust seasoning.
05 -
Mix the cooked noodles into the cheese sauce along with those small cheese chunks you saved. The mixture should be creamy and wet.
06 -
Pour half the mac and cheese into a 13x9 inch baking dish. Add a light layer of cheese sauce and sprinkle with some of the remaining shredded cheese. Add the rest of the noodles and top generously with the remaining cheese. Use extra cheddar or Colby Jack if needed.
07 -
Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
08 -
Turn on the broiler and broil for 2 minutes to get a nice golden brown top. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
# Notes:
01 -
Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded
02 -
The mixture should be very creamy before baking - it will thicken in the oven
03 -
Cavatappi noodles are great because their spiral shape holds the sauce well
04 -
Adding bouillon to the pasta water gives extra depth of flavor
05 -
This recipe makes a lot - perfect for feeding a crowd