Description
This five-cheese baked mac and cheese delivers restaurant-quality results with a golden crust and creamy interior, perfect for feeding 16 people at Juneteenth celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz colby jack cheese, shredded
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 oz American cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1–2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and butter your baking dish thoroughly
- Bring chicken broth to boil in large pot. Add macaroni and cook until just under al dente. Drain well
- Mix cream, half and half, half the cheddar, half the colby jack, all mozzarella, American, and cream cheese in bowl
- Season mixture with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust
- Stir in cooked macaroni and beaten eggs until well combined
- Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly
- Top with remaining cheddar and colby jack. Sprinkle with extra paprika
- Bake 35 minutes until golden and bubbly
- Cool 5 minutes before serving hot
Notes
- Shred cheese yourself for smoother melting – pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents
- Room temperature eggs and cream cheese blend more easily
- Don’t skip the chicken broth – it adds depth of flavor
- Cover with foil if top browns too quickly
- Can be assembled 24 hours ahead and refrigerated
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern/Soul Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: soul food mac and cheese, five cheese macaroni, baked macaroni cheese, southern mac and cheese, holiday mac and cheese, creamy cheese casserole, celebration side dish