Five Cheese Mac 'N Cheese For Grownups Recipe

Name: Five Cheese Mac 'N Cheese For Grownups
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 16 ounces penne (or any other tubular pasta shape); 1/4 lb bacon, diced; 1 medium onion, diced; 5 tablespoons unsalted butter; 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 1/2 cups whole milk; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 1 bay leaf; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese, grated; 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled; 3/4 cup gruyere cheese, grated; 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated; 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Servings: persons

16 ounces penne (or any other tubular pasta shape)
1/4 lb bacon, diced
1 medium onion, diced
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese, grated
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup gruyere cheese, grated
3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish.
2
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
3
In a large Dutch oven, saute bacon pieces until crisp. Remove and set aside. Saute onion in the bacon drippings until they wilt. Add the butter to pot and whisk in the flour, stirring constantly. Next whisk in the mustard. Gradually add the milk and cream, whisking constantly.
4
Season with thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Cook over low heat (simmer) for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
5
Strain out solids (thyme and bay leaf). Immediately add 1 cup of the Fontina, the bleu cheese, 1/2 cup of the Gruyere, 1/2 cup of the cheddar, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the reserved bacon, and parsley. Stir until cheese is melted. Add the drained pasta and stir to coat.
6
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Combine the remaining cheeses with the bread crumbs and sprinkle over top.
7
Bake 15 to 20 minutes until bubbling and lightly browned. Let rest a few moments before serving.

1381

kcal

Calories

112

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 16 ounces penne (or any other tubular pasta shape), 1/4 lb bacon, diced, 1 medium onion, diced, 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, and more.

Yes, Five Cheese Mac 'N Cheese For Grownups falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Five Cheese Mac 'N Cheese For Grownups

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions