Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 (16-ounce) package macaroni (cellentani or other curly noodle)
- 1/4 pound bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more to butter baking dish
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups grated fontina
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Gruyere
- 3/4 cup grated white Cheddar (Australian)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain.
In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, saute the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until soft. Add the 5 tablespoons butter to the onion mixture and melt the butter stirring with a wooden spoon.
Using a whisk, add the flour, and stir constantly until well mixed with the fat making a roux. Whisk in the mustard. Gradually add the milk and cream whisking constantly.
Add the thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Let come to a simmer and stir frequently for 15 minutes.
Strain the hot milk mixture into a metal bowl and discard the solids. Working quickly, mix in 1 cup fontina, blue cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere, 1/2 cup white Cheddar, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the reserved bacon, and parsley. Continue to stir until all cheese is melted.
Add the cooked noodles to the cheese mixture to coat. Add the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Mix the remaining cheese and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of the noodles. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven when done and rest for 5 minutes.
Photo: Cheese Lovers 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe



















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By fattybobatty
on January 03, 2012
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Sooo good! I highly recommend this dish. It is expensive to make (about $50-60 if you don't have the ingredients on hand. I would suggest measuring everything out beforehand, especially if you're preparing solo. The dish is extemely rich, but a guaranteed crowd pleaser. I will definitely be making for my next dinner party or work get together! Enjoy! :
By KnittingRose
Texas
on November 24, 2011
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My new go-to recipe for Mac and cheese. This was beyond delicious. My whole family thinks this is the best they have ever eaten.
By j_jswanson_10293084
Escondido, CA
on November 05, 2011
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Oh my Gosh, this is the best recipe. I sometimes changed some of the cheeses, mostly the blue cheese but my grandkids love it and always ask me to make it. Not cheap to make but oh so good.
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