This 5 Cheese Holiday Macaroni And Cheese is our favorite special occasion macaroni and cheese. It’s extra special due to the fact it incorporates a special blend of 5 specialty cheeses to create a fabulous flavor combination. It’s undeniably decadent and has a rich and robust flavor that makes it unforgettable.
I only prepare macaroni and cheese this way once a year during the Christmas season. Why, you ask? Well for one, it’s loaded with an over the top combination of cheese and is a bit pricer to make. Secondly, I think it’s nice to have a tradition of holiday dishes that my family associates with this special time of the year, when we celebrate the Christmas season. This 5 cheese combination is our favorite but, if you like, you can use any of your favorite combination of flavors to create your own special holiday macaroni and cheese dish.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
5 Cheese Holiday Macaroni And Cheese
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 1 [16 oz] box cavatappi pasta [See Cook's note]
- 1/2 cup [1 stick] butter plus 3 Tbsp for the topping
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 1 1/2-2 tsp salt
- 1/2-1 tsp white pepper
- 5 cups whole milk plus additional if needed
- 2 cups shredded asiago cheese
- 2 cups shredded Italian sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded fontina cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter flavored cooking spray. Cook the cavatappi pasta in boiling salted water per the instructions on the box, until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, grate the asiago, Italian sharp, fontina and mozzarella cheeses, into a medium size mixing bowl. Toss together until they are evenly combined.
- In a medium size stovetop pot, melt 1/2 cup butter and add the flour stirring to form a roux. Add the salt, pepper, dry mustard and white pepper. Cook on medium heat for about 1 minute.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly, The roux tends to stay around the edge of the pot, so be certain to incorporate all of the roux so your sauce will thicken.
- Add the milk gradually. After the mixture comes to a boil test the thickness. [Add more milk 1/2 cup at a time only if the sauce needs to more thinning.]
- After all of the milk has been added, gently bring to a boil stirring constantly.
- Lower the heat and simmer on low for 4-5 minutes until the flour has completely cooked and the sauce is creamy and thick.
- Add 1/3 of the grated cheese mixture into the sauce as well as 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Drain the pasta well, then add it to the sauce. If the pot isn't big enough, pour everything into a large mixing bowl to mix.
- Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour 1/2 of the pasta into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of the grated cheese mixture evenly over the first layer.
- Pour the rest of the pasta into the dish and sprinkle with the final 1/3 of cheese.
- To make the buttered crumbs: Remove the crusts from two slices of bread. Pulse in a food processor until it becomes fine crumbs. Mix with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and three tablespoons of melted butter.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan breadcrumbs on top and place into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Cavatappi pasta has ridges that allow the sauce to really cling to the pasta. If you can't find it, you could substitute any pasta with ridges such as a mini penne, or ziti.
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Anonymous says
This looks divine!!!
Melissa says
Thank you!
Peggi Tebben says
That looks like real comfort food! Nice job!
Melissa says
Hi Peggi, thanks!
Karen says
This is a definite “must-try”. This is the ultimate comfort food in our house. My youngest son gets mac n cheese at every restaurant…grocery run tomorrow!
Melissa says
Mine, too. Hope he loves it!
Paula Harmata says
Hi Melissa: I would like to make your Mac and Cheese for the holiday but what is “Italian Sharp White Cheddar Cheese?
Melissa says
Hi Paula, any sharp white cheese will do, no worries.
Carrie says
Can you make in advance? And bake the next day
Melissa says
Yes, no problem at all. Just bring it to room temperature prior to baking.