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Creamy Mac & Cheese

This creamy mac & cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a rich, velvety sauce, tender noodles, and a delightful blend of cheeses that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1.5 box 1.5 box/lb macaroni noodles 24oz of noodles in total! Cavatappi noodles can also be used.
Cheeses
  • 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 16 oz Colby jack cheese
  • 8 oz Gouda cheese
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese (optional) Bolsters creaminess.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 6 cups heavy cream
  • 4 tbsps salted butter
Spices
  • 2 tsps salt
  • 2 tsps chicken bouillon Enhances flavor.
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp adobo

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Grate your cheeses using a large shredder and set them aside. Save any small chunks for later for extra cheesy bites.
  2. Cook your macaroni noodles according to package instructions, enhancing the water with chicken bouillon.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a spacious sauce pot, melt butter on low heat, then gradually pour in heavy cream, whisking until smooth.
  2. Fold approximately 50% of the shredded cheeses into the cream mixture until well combined. If using cream cheese, add it now.
  3. Season with the spices, tasting as you go.
Combining and Baking
  1. Combine your cooked macaroni with the creamy cheese sauce, gently tossing in any reserved cheese chunks.
  2. Transfer the mixture into a 13x9 baking dish, layering half of the noodles, a light coating of cheese sauce, and some shredded cheese. Add remaining noodles and top with more cheese.
  3. Bake at 350°F until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Broil for an additional 2 minutes for a crispy, golden top.

Notes

For added flavor, mix in sautéed onions or garlic with the butter and cream. You can also try adding sautéed vegetables, hot sauce, or different pasta shapes for variations.