5-Cheese Crack & Cheese

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🧀🔥 5-Cheese Crack & Cheese

Creamy • Ultra-Cheesy • Oven-Baked Comfort Food

If you’re searching for the cheesiest, creamiest, most indulgent mac and cheese on the planet — this 5-Cheese Crack & Cheese is exactly what you need. Every bite is rich, velvety, decadent, and packed with layers of gooey melted cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort dish for holidays, gatherings, potlucks, or those nights when you simply crave a forkful of cheesy happiness.

This recipe blends five different cheeses to make the sauce extra smooth, stretchy, and flavorful. Paired with tender elbow macaroni and a perfectly baked top, this dish is impossible to stop eating. One spoonful and you’ll understand why people call it “crack” mac & cheese. 😍🔥

🛒 Ingredients

Pasta & Cheeses

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni

  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup Colby cheese, shredded

  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Sauce

  • 4 tbsp butter

  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

  • Salt & pepper to taste

Topping (optional but AMAZING)

  • 1/2 cup extra cheddar

  • 1/4 cup Parmesan

  • A sprinkle of paprika

👩‍🍳 Directions (7 Steps)

1️⃣ Cook the Macaroni

Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Overcooking makes it mushy, so keep it slightly firm.

2️⃣ Melt the Butter

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. This will be the base of your creamy sauce.

3️⃣ Create the Roux

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until it forms a smooth paste. This thickens the cheese sauce and keeps it silky.

4️⃣ Add Milk & Cream

Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

5️⃣ Add the Cheeses

Turn heat to low and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Parmesan. Mix until melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

6️⃣ Combine with Pasta

Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir to coat every single noodle. It should be extremely creamy and thick.

7️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour into a greased baking dish. Top with extra cheddar and Parmesan. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly, golden, and irresistible.

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