Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni

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Servings: 8 Difficulty: Intermediate
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A rich, velvety pasta bake blending fontina, cheddar, parmesan, and American cheese for ultimate comfort food.
Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni recipe image
Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni recipe image
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Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 8 Calories: 293.9

Description

This Creamy 4 Cheese Macaroni is the ultimate comfort food, featuring elbow macaroni enveloped in a luxurious sauce made from fontina, sharp cheddar, fresh parmesan, and processed American cheese. The sauce is thickened with a simple roux and low-fat milk, creating a velvety texture that clings perfectly to every noodle. Topped with a crunchy, savory crust of crushed onion-flavored toast and melted margarine, this dish offers a satisfying contrast between the creamy interior and the crisp exterior. It is an ideal weeknight dinner for families or a nostalgic side dish for holiday gatherings. The combination of four distinct cheeses provides a complex, savory flavor profile that is both indulgent and familiar, making it a crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375&# 194;°F (190ðC).
  2. Cook 6 cups of elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup flour and 2 2/3 cups milk until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for about 8 minutes until the mixture thickens into a smooth paste.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese, 1/2 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, and 3 ounces of diced processed American cheese (such as Velveeta).
  6. Stir continuously for about 3 minutes until all cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is creamy and homogeneous.
  7. Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the cooked macaroni and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the pasta is evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
  8. Spoon the cheesy macaroni mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray.
  9. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup crushed onion-flavored melba toast with 1 tablespoon softened low-fat margarine. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
  10. Sprinkle the toast-margarine mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni to create a crunchy topping.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly around the edges.
  12. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Amount Per Serving
Calories 293.9kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17.1g27%
Saturated Fat 10.6g53%
Cholesterol 42.4mg15%
Sodium 208.9mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 24.6g9%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
Sugars 8.9g
Protein 10.1g21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: macaroni, cheese, fontina, cheddar, parmesan, american cheese, creamy, comfort food, baked pasta, vegetarian, family dinner, low fat, easy recipe, side dish, melty
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