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better than mom's mac 'n cheese

(2 ratings)
sokygal avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Teresa G.
@sokygal
Here, KY

Nine kinds of cheese? Oh, yeah! I was craving macaroni and cheese but wanted something a little different and this is what I came up with. Believe it or not, I didn't even include every cheese in my refrigerator! I listed that the recipe serves 6, but you'd better get an extra big helping because there probably won't be any left for seconds!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Homemade macaroni and cheese is comfort food all the way and this recipe is ooey, gooey goodness. We loved ALL the types of cheese in this divine mac and cheese. Munster cheese and the extra sharp cheddar really stood out for us in the recipe. The cheesy crouton crumb topping is the perfect final touch. The next time you have an urge for mac and cheese, skip the box and try this recipe.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
yield 6 (Makes 2 qt. casserole)
prep time 50 Min
cook time 55 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For better than mom's mac 'n cheese

  • 4 qt
    water, boiling
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 8 oz
    elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 Tbsp
    butter, room temperature
  • 4 oz
    cream cheese (1/2 brick), room temperature
  • 1/8 c
    blue cheese crumbles
  • 1/4 c
    Asiago cheese, shredded
  • 1/3 c
    Munster cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 c
    mild cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 c
    extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2/3 c
    Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 c
    half & half creamer (or combination of heavy cream & whole milk)
  • 1 lg
    egg
  • 1/2 tsp
    seasoned salt
  • 1/16 tsp
    ground black pepper
  • TOPPING
  • 1 Tbsp
    butter, melted
  • 1 c
    herb seasoned croutons, crushed
  • 1/8 c
    grated Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheese blend (shaker container type)

How To Make better than mom's mac 'n cheese

  • 1
    (NOTE:) Recipe may be doubled for 9"x13" or 4 qt. casserole.
  • Greased dish on a counter.
    2
    Lightly grease a 2 or 2 1/2 quart casserole dish; set aside.
  • Preparing the cheese and gathering ingredients.
    3
    (This step is the most time consuming, so you may want to shred the cheeses ahead of time. Please don't use the pre-shredded cheeses as it will negatively affect your results.) Gather and prep all ingredients except macaroni (shred cheeses, crush croutons etc...).
  • Adding salt to water in a pot.
    4
    Add water and 1 teaspoon salt to large pot (5 qt. or larger;) over high heat, bring water to boil.
  • Cooking the macaroni.
    5
    Add macaroni; stir. When water returns to boil, reduce heat to medium-high; set timer and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Draining the macaroni.
    6
    Drain macaroni, but do NOT rinse.
  • Returning cooked macaroni to the pot.
    7
    Return macaroni to the hot pot.
  • Butter and cream cheese added to the pot.
    8
    Immediately add butter and cream cheese; stir gently until melted.
  • All the cheese added to a bowl.
    9
    Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a plastic food bag or bowl combine cheeses.
  • Cheese stirred into the macaroni.
    10
    Add combined cheeses to macaroni. Stir to mix well.
  • Half & half, egg, seasoned salt, and black pepper whisked together.
    11
    Into the half & half, add egg, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Whisk or beat well with a fork until very well combined.
  • Stirring half and half mixture into the macaroni.
    12
    Pour over macaroni and cheese mixture in pan; stir to mix well.
  • Macaroni poured into the baking dish.
    13
    Pour macaroni mixture evenly into prepared dish. (If you have a little shredded cheese leftover, you may sprinkle on top of macaroni mixture, up to 1/2 cup.)
  • Crushed croutons and melted butter in a bowl.
    14
    Make the topping by combining crushed croutons with melted butter.
  • Stirring topping together.
    15
    Stir to coat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sprinkling the topping over the macaroni.
    16
    Sprinkle evenly over macaroni.
  • Macaroni and cheese baking in the oven.
    17
    Bake at 350ºF for approximately 50 to 60 minutes (place a sheet of aluminum foil over it, towards the end of cooking time, if it is beginning to become too browned).
  • A serving of Better Than Mom's Mac 'N Cheese in a bowl.
    18
    Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers. If reheating, add a tablespoon of milk or half & half to the bottom of the dish.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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