7 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | Cheesy Mac Recipes

This article details how to make 7 cheese mac and cheese. It lists all ingredients, tools, and steps needed. Prep takes 15 mins. Total time is 45 mins. Serves 8 people. You can bake it or serve fresh. Baking adds a crispy breadcrumb topping. Fresh version stays creamy. Includes tips to avoid common mistakes. Explains cheese sauce making. Shows proper pasta cooking. Gives storage and reheating advice.

Gather Your Ingredients for 7 Cheese Mac

You'll need these items to make 7 cheese macaroni and cheese.

Core Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk, warm
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Cheese Blend

• 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup gouda, cubed
• 1 cup Monterey Jack, shredded
• 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
• 1/2 cup fontina, shredded
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

Pantry Items

• Breadcrumbs for topping
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Special Tools

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Medium saucepan for cheese sauce
• 9x13 baking dish
• Whisk
• Colander

Prep time: 15 minutes. Total time: 45 minutes.

Serves 8 people.

Buy pre-shredded cheese to save time. But fresh-shredded melts better.

Use whole milk for creamiest texture. Low-fat versions may split.

Room temp cream cheese mixes smoother into sauce.

See full 7 cheese mac recipe

Cook the Pasta to Perfection

Proper pasta cooking ensures creamy 7 cheese macaroni and cheese.

Boiling Basics

• Use 1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• Fill large pot with 4 quarts water
• Add 1 tbsp salt to boiling water
• Bring to rolling boil before adding pasta

Cook Time Guidelines

Doneness Test

• Pasta should be al dente
• Firm to bite but not hard
• Taste test at 1 min less than package time
• Drain immediately when done

Draining Tips

• Use colander to drain
• Do not rinse pasta
• Rinsing removes starch needed for sauce
• Return pasta to pot after draining

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Overcooked pasta becomes mushy
• Undercooked pasta stays chewy
• Crowding pot leads to uneven cooking
• Adding oil to water prevents sauce adhesion

Stir pasta frequently while boiling.

Set timer to avoid overcooking.

Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

Pasta water helps thin cheese sauce if needed.

Learn baked mac and cheese method

Build the Cheese Sauce Base

Create smooth cheese sauce for 7 cheese macaroni and cheese.

Roux Preparation

• Melt 6 tbsp butter in medium saucepan
• Use low-medium heat
• Add 1/4 cup flour once butter melts
• Whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes
• Roux should be pale yellow, not brown

Milk Addition Steps

• Warm 3 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream
• Pour 1/2 cup warm milk into roux
• Whisk until smooth
• Add remaining milk slowly
• Continue whisking to prevent lumps

Sauce Thickening Process

• Bring mixture to gentle simmer
• Reduce heat to low
• Cook 5-7 minutes until thickened
• Stir every minute
• Sauce coats back of spoon when ready

Seasoning Additions

• Add 1 tsp salt
• Add 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Add 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Stir well to combine

Troubleshooting Tips

• If lumpy, strain through fine mesh
• If too thick, add reserved pasta water
• If too thin, simmer longer
• Never let sauce boil after thickening

Keep sauce moving while heating.

Low heat prevents curdling.

Whole milk gives creamiest texture.

Heavy cream adds richness.

View complete 7 cheese mac recipe

Combine Pasta and Cheese Blend

Mix cooked pasta with 7 cheese blend for ultimate mac and cheese.

Cheese Addition Order

• Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese
• Add 1 cup sharp cheddar first
• Stir until fully melted
• Add 1 cup mozzarella next
• Follow with gouda, Monterey Jack, and parmesan
• Finish with 1/2 cup cream cheese

Mixing Technique

• Add cheese gradually
• Stir constantly with wooden spoon
• Work quickly to prevent cooling
• Stop stirring once cheese melts
• Overmixing causes grainy texture

Pasta Integration

• Add drained pasta to cheese sauce
• Toss gently to coat all pieces
• Add 1/4 cup pasta water if too dry
• Mix until uniform consistency

Cheese Substitution Guide

Common Mixing Errors

• Adding cold cheese to hot sauce
• Using high heat after cheese addition
• Overstirring the mixture
• Incomplete cheese melting

Room temperature cheese blends easier.

Low heat maintains smooth texture.

Sharp cheddar provides strong flavor base.

Cream cheese adds silkiness.

More easy mac and cheese recipes

Bake or Serve Immediately

Choose baking or immediate serving for 7 cheese macaroni and cheese.

Baking Instructions

• Transfer mixture to 9x13 baking dish
• Spread evenly with spatula
• Mix 1 cup breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp olive oil
• Sprinkle breadcrumb topping over mac
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes

Baked Doneness Signs

• Top is golden brown
• Bubbles around edges
• Internal temp reaches 165°F
• Cheese is bubbling

Serving Fresh Option

• Skip baking step entirely
• Serve directly from pot
• Garnish with fresh parsley
• Add extra parmesan on top

Reheating Methods

Storage Guidelines

• Cool completely before storing
• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Store in airtight container
• Freeze up to 3 months

Baked version develops crispy top.

Fresh version stays creamier.

Breadcrumb topping adds texture contrast.

Olive oil prevents breadcrumb burning.

Explore more homemade mac recipes