- VE
These Carbs Don't Count
May 13, 2025
This Ultimate Cheesy Baked Mac & Cheese is a creamy, gooey comfort dish loaded with flavor. The base begins with butter and garlic, then layers in heavy cream, multiple cheeses including gouda, fontina, cheddar, mozzarella, asiago, Parmesan, and Velveeta. After combining the pasta with the rich cheese sauce and a splash of pasta water, it’s baked until bubbly and golden. This is the mac & cheese of your dreams—decadent, rich, and unforgettable.
19 Ingredients
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
1/4
Ultimate Cheesy Baked Mac & Cheese
Instructions
1
|
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
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Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
3
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In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4
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Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
5
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Lower the heat and stir in gouda, fontina, cheddar, mozzarella, asiago, Parmesan, and Velveeta cubes. Mix until smooth.
6
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Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir until pasta is fully coated.
7
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Transfer mixture to an oven-safe dish and top with extra cheese.
8
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Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
9
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Let cool slightly before serving.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Cheese Melting Magic 🧀Grate your own cheese blend instead of using pre-shredded varieties, as freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and creates a creamier sauce without anti-caking agents.
- Pasta Water Power 💧Always reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining; the starch helps bind the cheese sauce and creates a silkier, more cohesive mac & cheese texture.
- Layering Cheese Technique 🥘Mix harder cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago into the sauce, while saving melty cheeses like Fontina and Gouda for topping to create multiple texture and flavor layers.
- Crispy Top Secret 🔥For a perfectly golden, crispy top, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and additional Parmesan cheese before the final bake, and broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Flavor Bomb Seasoning 🌶️Toast your dry spices like garlic powder and onion powder in the butter before adding cream to intensify their flavor and create a more complex base for your cheese sauce.
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Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Vegetarian
Smart Nutrition
Nutrition Per Serving
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