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better than mom's mac 'n cheese

(2 RATINGS)
1.36K Pinches 38 Photos
sokygal avatar
Here, KY
Updated on Oct 20, 2025

Nine kinds of cheese? Oh, yeah! I was craving macaroni and cheese but wanted something a little different and this is what I came up with. Believe it or not, I didn't even include every cheese in my refrigerator! I listed that the recipe serves 6, but you'd better get an extra big helping because there probably won't be any left for seconds!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Homemade macaroni and cheese is comfort food all the way and this recipe is ooey, gooey goodness. We loved ALL the types of cheese in this divine mac and cheese. Munster cheese and the extra sharp cheddar really stood out for us in the recipe. The cheesy crouton crumb topping is the perfect final touch. The next time you have an urge for mac and cheese, skip the box and try this recipe.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 50 Min
cook time 55 Min
method Bake
yield 6 (Makes 2 qt. casserole)

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts water, boiling
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 brick), room temperature
  • 1/8 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1/4 cup Asiago cheese, shredded
  • 1/3 cup Munster cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2/3 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup half & half creamer (or combination of heavy cream & whole milk)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/16 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • TOPPING
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 cup herb seasoned croutons, crushed
  • 1/8 cup grated Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheese blend (shaker container type)

How To Make better than mom's mac 'n cheese

  • Step 1
    (NOTE:) Recipe may be doubled for 9"x13" or 4 qt. casserole.
  • Greased dish on a counter.
    Step 2
    Lightly grease a 2 or 2 1/2 quart casserole dish; set aside.
  • Preparing the cheese and gathering ingredients.
    Step 3
    (This step is the most time consuming, so you may want to shred the cheeses ahead of time. Please don't use the pre-shredded cheeses as it will negatively affect your results.) Gather and prep all ingredients except macaroni (shred cheeses, crush croutons etc...).
  • Adding salt to water in a pot.
    Step 4
    Add water and 1 teaspoon salt to large pot (5 qt. or larger;) over high heat, bring water to boil.
  • Cooking the macaroni.
    Step 5
    Add macaroni; stir. When water returns to boil, reduce heat to medium-high; set timer and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Draining the macaroni.
    Step 6
    Drain macaroni, but do NOT rinse.
  • Returning cooked macaroni to the pot.
    Step 7
    Return macaroni to the hot pot.
  • Butter and cream cheese added to the pot.
    Step 8
    Immediately add butter and cream cheese; stir gently until melted.
  • All the cheese added to a bowl.
    Step 9
    Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a plastic food bag or bowl combine cheeses.
  • Cheese stirred into the macaroni.
    Step 10
    Add combined cheeses to macaroni. Stir to mix well.
  • Half & half, egg, seasoned salt, and black pepper whisked together.
    Step 11
    Into the half & half, add egg, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Whisk or beat well with a fork until very well combined.
  • Stirring half and half mixture into the macaroni.
    Step 12
    Pour over macaroni and cheese mixture in pan; stir to mix well.
  • Macaroni poured into the baking dish.
    Step 13
    Pour macaroni mixture evenly into prepared dish. (If you have a little shredded cheese leftover, you may sprinkle on top of macaroni mixture, up to 1/2 cup.)
  • Crushed croutons and melted butter in a bowl.
    Step 14
    Make the topping by combining crushed croutons with melted butter.
  • Stirring topping together.
    Step 15
    Stir to coat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sprinkling the topping over the macaroni.
    Step 16
    Sprinkle evenly over macaroni.
  • Macaroni and cheese baking in the oven.
    Step 17
    Bake at 350ºF for approximately 50 to 60 minutes (place a sheet of aluminum foil over it, towards the end of cooking time, if it is beginning to become too browned).
  • A serving of Better Than Mom's Mac 'N Cheese in a bowl.
    Step 18
    Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers. If reheating, add a tablespoon of milk or half & half to the bottom of the dish.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 526kcal, carbohydrates: 36g, cholesterol: 123mg, fat: 33g, fiber: 1g, protein: 21g, saturated fat: 20g, sodium: 1191mg, sugar: 4g, unsaturated fat: 13g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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