5 Cheese Crack & Cheese (sometimes called Five-Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese) is ultra-creamy, outrageously cheesy, and totally addictive — hence the “crack”! It’s comfort food turned up to 100 — golden, bubbling, and loaded with layers of rich cheese flavor.Here’s the ultimate version 👇
🧀🔥 5 Cheese Crack & Cheese
🍽️ Serves:
6–8 people
⏱️ Time:
Prep: 20 min | Bake: 25–30 min | Total: ~50 min
Ingredients
Pasta:
-
1 lb elbow macaroni (or cavatappi, shells, or rotini)
-
1 Tbsp salt (for pasta water)
Cheese sauce:
-
4 Tbsp (½ stick) unsalted butter
-
¼ cup all-purpose flour
-
3 cups whole milk, warmed
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but amazing)
-
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
½ tsp dry mustard (optional, for flavor depth)
The 5 cheeses (about 5–6 cups total, shredded):
-
1 cup sharp cheddar
-
1 cup mozzarella
-
1 cup Monterey Jack
-
1 cup Colby Jack
-
1 cup Gruyère or smoked gouda (for richness)
(Feel free to swap in provolone, parmesan, or cream cheese — it’s very flexible!)
Topping:
-
½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
-
2 Tbsp butter, melted
-
½ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Cook pasta until just al dente (about 1 minute shy of package directions).
-
Drain and toss with a drizzle of butter or oil to prevent sticking.
2. Make the roux
-
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
-
Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly (this cooks out the raw flour taste).
3. Add the liquids
-
Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream, stirring until smooth.
-
Continue whisking for 5–6 minutes, until thickened and bubbly.
4. Add seasonings and cheese
-
Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard, salt, and pepper.
-
Reduce heat to low, then add cheeses one handful at a time, stirring after each addition until melted and silky.
-
Reserve about 1 cup of mixed cheese for the topping.
5. Combine pasta and sauce
-
Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until completely coated.
6. Assemble & bake
-
Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Top with reserved cheese.
-
Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top (optional).
-
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
7. Serve
-
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving (this helps the sauce thicken slightly).
-
Sprinkle with a little fresh parsley or extra paprika for garnish if desired.
💡 Tips & Variations
-
Add crumbled bacon, shredded chicken, or jalapeños for flavor boosts.
-
For even more creaminess, mix in 4 oz cream cheese with the sauce.
-
Want it spicy? Use pepper jack and a dash of hot sauce in the cheese mix.
-
To make it extra “crack-like”, drizzle with ranch dressing and crumble crispy bacon on top before serving.
Would you like me to give you the “Crack Chicken 5-Cheese Mac” version next — the viral one with ranch, bacon, and chicken? It’s legendary.
