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Four Cheese Mac and Cheese is perfect when I want something better than regular mac and cheese. The combination of Cheddar, Gouda, Mozzarella, and Parmesan melts into one silky sauce that coats every piece of pasta. The top bakes golden and crispy while the inside stays creamy. It’s the kind of comfort food everyone fights over.
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I make it for family gatherings, Sunday dinners, potlucks, and game days because it’s a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults both love. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas since it feeds a crowd and pairs well with holiday meals. It’s great for make-ahead, keeps in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and freezes for 3 to 4 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Here’s how to make Four Cheese Mac n Cheese from scratch with a silky cheese sauce and golden bubbly top.
Preheat Oven and Prep Your Pasta
Preheat the oven to 400°F and get your baking dish ready. I love using my ceramic baking dish because it bakes evenly, looks nice on the dining table, and is easy to clean.
Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling water, but pull it out 1 minute before the package says it’s done, since it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain it and set it aside while you make the sauce. A good pasta pot with a built-in strainer makes saving that pasta water easier.
Make the Roux for Cheese Sauce
On the stovetop, melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat until it’s fully melted and bubbling. I recommend sticking with unsalted butter since the cheeses already bring a salty flavor.
Whisk in the flour slowly until it forms a thick paste that resembles wet sand. Pour in the milk gradually while whisking continuously so the sauce stays smooth and doesn’t become lumpy. Use a good wire whisk here because it really helps break up any flour clumps before they set.
Add the Cheeses
Add the sharp Cheddar, Gouda, Mozzarella, and Parmesan to the pan, but save 1 tablespoon of each cheese for the topping. You can use different kinds of cheese; try white cheddar cheese, gruyere, Monterey Jack, or cream cheese if you prefer an extra-creamy texture.
Stir until all the cheeses melt into the sauce, and it’s completely smooth. If the sauce mixture looks too thick or isn’t coating a spoon easily, stir in up to 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Combine and Transfer
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is fully coated. If the sauce tightens up or looks dry, add a splash more pasta water and stir until it’s creamy again.
Transfer everything to your baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Bake Until Golden
Sprinkle the reserved cheese on top so it covers the surface. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden, bubbly, and lightly browned around the edges.
Let it cool for about 5 minutes so the sauce can set slightly and won’t be molten lava hot.
Finish and Serve
Just before serving, garnish it with chopped fresh parsley for color and a fresh bite that cuts through the richness. Enjoy!
If you’re taking Four Cheese Mac n Cheese to a potluck or holiday gathering, let it cool for about 10 minutes before covering it tightly with aluminum foil. Then, wrap it again in a kitchen towel to help retain heat, and it’ll stay warm for about 45 minutes to an hour.
For longer trips, an insulated casserole carrier keeps it warm for hours.
Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Pasta pot with a built-in strainer
Ingredients
- 7 ounces elbow pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups full-fat milk
- ¾ cup grated Cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup grated Gouda
- ¾ cup grated Mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the pasta in boiling water, but remove it 1 minute before the package’s suggested time. Drain and set aside.7 ounces elbow pasta
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour slowly to form a thick paste. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups full-fat milk
- Add all the cheeses, saving 1 tablespoon of each for the topping. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in up to 1 cup of pasta water.¾ cup grated Cheddar cheese, ¾ cup grated Gouda, ¾ cup grated Mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated. (Add more pasta water if needed.)
- Transfer everything to a baking dish and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Finish with chopped parsley before serving.2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Let the mac and cheese cool to room temperature before storing it. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk stirred in to bring back the creaminess or reheat the whole batch in the oven covered with foil to keep the sauce from drying out.
For freezer storage, let it cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Good freezer containers with tight seals prevent freezer burn. Freeze for 3 to 4 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve With Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
The mac and cheese is rich and filling, so I usually serve it with something lighter like a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess.
Roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or spinach add color and texture to the plate. Garlic bread, a crusty baguette, or buttered dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra cheese sauce.
For holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, it works beautifully as a side dish next to roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib. I’ve also served it with grilled pork chops, barbecue ribs, or roasted chicken for casual family dinners.
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