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4 Cheese Bakes Mac-n-cheese
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Four Cheese Baked Mac n Cheese

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Gooey and cheesy, with a little bacon, baked mac-n-cheese makes the perfect comfort food.  I used 4 different cheeses in this recipe to get different layers of flavor, then mixed in some bacon and topped it with a nice crunchy breadcrumb crust.  

When I make this recipe I always make sure to use freshly grated cheese because it melts easier and always has a better flavor. The cheese combination I use brings out the smoky saltiness of the bacon without any one cheese over powering the other.  Also for the mac-n-cheese I use Penne Pasta because i feel that it hold up better to the sauce and doesn’t become mushy. 

This recipe makes a great main dish as well as an amazing side dish. As with any mac-n-cheese this will go perfectly my Smoked Pulled Pork.  This makes enough to fill a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish. 

 
4 Cheese Baked Mac-n-Cheese
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4 Cheese Baked Mac-n-Cheese

Recipe by The Bored Foodie Course: SidesDifficulty: Medium
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Baking time

30

minutes

Makes a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Ingredients

  • 4-5 C 4-5 Whole Milk or Cream

  • 1 Lb 1 Bacon

  • 1 C 1 Panko Bread Crumbs

  • 1/2 C 1/2 Butter

  • 1/2 C 1/2 All-Purpose Flour

  • 1 Lb 1 Penne Noodles

  • 6 oz 6 1 Year Aged Cheddar (Freshly Shred)

  • 6 oz 6 Smoked Gouda (Freshly Shred)

  • 6 oz 6 Havarti Cheese (Freshly Shred)

  • 8 oz 8 Sharp Cheddar (set aside 2oz for the topping.)

  • 1 t 1 Dijon Mustard

  • 1 t 1 Cayenne Pepper

  • 1 t 1 Black Pepper

Directions

  • Start a pot of salted water for your noodles. Preheat oven to 325.
  • Crisp bacon up in a fry pan then chop and set aside.
  • While the water is heating start your sauce by making a roux.  Melt butter in a large sauce pan, when butter is melted and starting to bubble, add in the flour, and whisk for 1-2 minutes. Add the mustard, cayenne pepper, and black pepper then gradually add in the milk or cream 1/2 cup at a time and constantly whisk.  The sauce will gradually start to thicken, you may not use all the milk or cream.  Once sauce has reached a smooth consistency slowly add in the cheese and constantly stir.  The sauce will become thicker the more cheese you add in. Once all cheese has been incorporated adjust seasoning level with some salt and more pepper.
  • Add noodles to boiling water and cook 3/4 of the recommended time on the label, the noodles will continue to cook in the oven.
  • When noodles are ready combine them with the sauce. I like to strain the noodles then use the same pot to combine the sauce to the noodles.)
  • Prepare a 9″x13″ baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray. Add in the combined noodles and cheese sauce and spread out in an even layer. Top everything with the remaining 2oz of sharp cheddar and panko bread crumbs.  
  • Bake in oven for 25-35 minutes or just until the crust starts to brown. 

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