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5-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic Crusted Panko

This 5-cheese baked macaroni and cheese is rich and creamy and boasts a small kick thanks to jalapeño in one of the five cheeses.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizers, Dinner, Holiday, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fusilli pasta, cooked to just under al dente
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole or 2% milk
  • ¾ cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded garlic white cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded jalapeño havarti cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Panko Topping: 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 3 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°.  Cook 1 lb fusilli paste to slightly under al dente {I did 7 minutes for pasta that was supposed to cook 8-10}. 
  • To make the cheese sauce:  Shred all cheeses into one bowl, and set aside.  In a large sauce pan on medium heat, place the butter into the pan to melt it. Add flour and whisk until slightly golden, about 30 seconds to one minute. Add milk and whisk continuously until mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Add the cheese, and continue to whisk until melted, 1-2 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste at this point.  Add pasta to the sauce pan, and mix to fully coat pasta with the cheese sauce. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. 
  • To make the panko topping:  Melt butter in a small sauce pan. Add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Add panko and mix to combine. Gently sprinkle panko over the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the panko crust begins to golden up a bit more than its natural color. Serve hot. Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Enjoy!