Million Dollar Mac & Cheese

This ooey-gooey Million Dollar Mac and Cheese is more than just your average cheesy pasta. Breaking through the golden, buttery panko topping reveals layers of rich cheese and tangy sour cream. The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy Gruyère, and smooth Monterey Jack creates a sauce that coats every noodle in velvety goodness. Comfort food taken to the next level, this is the ultimate mac and cheese recipe you won’t want to miss.

Dish Details: What To Know

Main Ingredients: Cavatappi noodles, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère cheese, sour cream, Dijon mustard, panko breadcrumbs.
Quick Steps: Boil pasta, make cheese sauce. Layer noodles and sauce in a baking dish, top with Gruyère and breadcrumbs, then bake.
Total Time & Yield: 45 minutes total, serves 8.

Why This Recipe

This Million Dollar Mac and Cheese recipe offers a luxurious take on the classic dish:

• While many alternatives stick to more conventional ingredient choices, our recipe elevates the experience with a blend of Gruyère, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. This combination introduces a richer and more nuanced flavor profile.
• In contrast to recipes that rely on heavy creams or processed cheeses, we balance richness with the addition of sour cream, which adds an extra layer of creaminess without being overpowering.
• Additionally, instead of simply mixing the sauce and pasta, we use a layered approach with cheese and sour cream between the pasta, ensuring every bite is filled with gooey, cheesy goodness.
• The crispy panko breadcrumb topping adds a delightful texture that sets it apart from recipes that focus only on smoothness.
• This thoughtful layering and textural contrast make our version a truly indulgent dish, more balanced and satisfying.
  

Million Dollar Mac And Cheese Ingredients

If you’re looking for a mac and cheese dish that’s worth its weight in gold, million-dollar mac and cheese is definitely worth a try.

This decadent dish is the perfect combination of creamy, salty, and savory flavors that will leave your taste buds feeling indulged.

Made with a combination of gooey cheddar and parmesan cheeses, crispy bacon, and a breadcrumb topping, million-dollar mac and cheese provides a contrasting texture in every bite.

You’ll need:

For The Mac And Cheese: 

• 1 (16-ounce) box of cavatappi noodles
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 2 cups of half & half
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (8-ounce block) of shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (8-ounce block) of shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 2 cups (8-ounce block) of shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt (I use Lowry’s)
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

For The Topping:

• 1 cup of panko bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt

Substitutions And Additions

CHEESE: If you can not find Gruyère cheese in your local store, you can substitute Swiss cheese in its place. They are very similar, and both go very well with sharp cheddar cheese. You could also try mixing jalapeno jack cheese into your cheese mixture to kick up the heat.

We do not recommend using pre-shredded cheese as it won’t melt as well. Opt for block cheese and grate it yourself.

PASTA: I like to use cavatappi noodles for this dish, but you can substitute penne or mostaccioli rigatti.

These are all short kinds of pasta that are sturdy and can hold up to this very hearty cheese sauce. Noodles like elbows and shells are just too delicate for this dish.

BACON: Adding small pieces of crumbled bacon to mac and cheese is always a good idea.

SPICE: Add a bit of spice to this already amazing dish. A dash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes would all work.

Flavor Profile

This Million Dollar Mac and Cheese has a rich, creamy, and indulgent flavor, thanks to the combination of Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. It’s a flavorful, multi-dimensional dish that’s both comforting and sophisticated:

• The Gruyère adds a nutty, slightly sweet depth, while the cheddar brings sharpness and tang. The Monterey Jack rounds out the blend with its mild, creamy texture, enhancing the overall smoothness.

• The addition of sour cream provides an extra layer of creaminess and a subtle tang that complements the rich cheeses without overwhelming the palate.

• The panko breadcrumb topping gives a nice contrast, adding a crunchy, buttery finish that balances the smooth, velvety texture of the cheese sauce.

How To Make This Million-Dollar Mac And Cheese Recipe

This indulgent mac and cheese recipe consists of cooking the pasta and the sauce before combining them together.

Spread the mixture in a baking dish and top with plenty of decadent toppings before baking in the oven until nice and gooey.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a pastry brush, in a 4-quart casserole dish, butter the bottom and up the sides of the dish with two tablespoons of room-temperature butter. Set aside.

STEP TWO: In a large stockpot, boil your cavatappi noodles for eight minutes or only until al dente. 2Since the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, you don’t want it to become mushy.

To check if pasta is al dente:

• Taste a piece after the minimum suggested cooking time. It should be firm, offering a bit of resistance when bitten, but not hard or crunchy.

• Visually, al dente pasta appears slightly translucent with a tiny white dot at the center, indicating a slightly uncooked core that will continue to cook from residual heat.

Once cooked, drain the noodles and return them to your stockpot.

STEP THREE: While your noodles are boiling, start your cheese sauce. In a large saucepan, on medium-high heat, melt your remaining quarter cup of butter.

Add the flour and whisk until all the flour has been incorporated with the melted butter and gets light brown in color.

When making this roux (butter and flour mixture), ensure the flour is fully incorporated into the melted butter before adding the liquid. This helps prevent lumps.

STEP FOUR: While whisking your butter and flour, slowly pour in your whole milk and half & half. Make sure you whisk constantly to ensure that you do not have any lumps in your cheese sauce.

STEP FIVE: Add your Dijon mustard, seasoning salt, dried parsley, and black pepper to your milk mixture.

Continue to cook your sauce for six to eight minutes and whisk to make sure that you do not burn your milk mixture.

STEP SIX: Once the milk mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and add your shredded sharp yellow cheese and shredded Monterey jack cheese.

You will not want to add your cheese all at once, but in one cup portions at a time so that as you whisk it in, you are creating a smooth cheese sauce.

STEP SEVEN: Once all your sharp yellow cheddar and Monterey jack cheese are incorporated and your sauce is smooth, pour it into your stockpot with your cooked macaroni. Stir to coat evenly.

STEP EIGHT: Spoon half of the macaroni noodles into your prepared casserole dish.

Sprinkle, in an even layer, 1½ cups of your shredded Gruyère cheese on top of the macaroni.

Next, you will want to dollop your sour cream over the top of your shredded Gruyère cheese and smooth it out into an even layer of sour cream.

STEP NINE: Add the remaining cheesy noodles to your casserole dish and top evenly with the remaining half cup of shredded Gruyère cheese.

STEP TEN: In a medium-sized bowl, combine all of your topping ingredients so that they are mixed well.

STEP ELEVEN: Evenly sprinkle this topping mixture over your mac & cheese mixture.

STEP TWELVE: Bake your million-dollar mac & cheese for 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.

Keep a close eye on the mac and cheese while it’s baking. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking a bit before the suggested baking time is up.

STEP THIRTEEN: Once baked, allow your million-dollar mac and cheese casserole to rest on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This helps the cheese sauce to set a bit and makes serving easier.

Troubleshooting this Mac and Cheese Recipe

My sauce has lumps in it – The process of making the cheese sauce requires careful attention.

1. Make sure to whisk the flour and butter mixture while slowly pouring in the milk and half & half. This step is crucial to avoid lumps in the sauce. Also, the cheese should be added gradually to create a smooth sauce.
2. You can fix it by whisking it vigorously over low heat, which can help melt any lumps and break them up. If the lumps persist, consider transferring the sauce to a blender and blending it until smooth, but remember to do this in small batches and be careful as the sauce will be hot.
3. As a last resort, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining lumps, resulting in a smooth sauce, although you might lose some volume in the process.

My pasta is overcooked (too mushy) – The recipe emphasizes that the pasta should be cooked to al dente. This means it should still have a slightly firm texture. Overcooking the pasta leads to a mushy final product.

My cheese didn’t melt properly – It’s important to note that pre-shredded cheese is not recommended as it often contains preservatives that can interfere with the melting process.

My sauce is too thick – If your cheese sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it by adding a bit more milk. Add the milk a little at a time, stirring well after each addition, until you reach your desired consistency.

How To Serve

Whether you’re serving it as a main dish, a side, or a component in another meal, this million-dollar macaroni and cheese casserole is best served hot for that ooey-gooey cheesy goodness.

This versatile dish, with its creamy texture and rich blend of cheeses, can be the star of a meal or play a supporting role, blending harmoniously with a variety of flavors.

A crisp, fresh side salad (or Caesar salad) provides a light, refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy mac and cheese. Don’t forget a loaf of garlic bread or pull-apart garlic bread to mop up the cheese sauce on your plate.

The smoky flavor of grilled vegetables or the caramelized sweetness of roasted vegetables can complement the creamy mac and cheese beautifully. Our roasted potatoes or roasted broccoli or, even, sauteed vegetables would make excellent choices.

The robust flavors of grilled steak or BBQ pulled pork (or pulled chicken) go great with rich mac and cheese.

We love mac and cheese around here. Check out our other recipes and decide which one you like the best! Try our crockpot mac and cheese and our chili mac for two solid choices.

Storage

This is a great meal to keep in the freezer for a busy night. Or even better, make two and enjoy one while saving the other one until later.

MAKE AHEAD: This million dollar mac and cheese recipe can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient option for busy days.

To do this, follow the recipe up until the point of baking. Once you’ve assembled the mac and cheese in the baking dish, allow it to cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate.

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

To maintain the best quality, try to store the leftovers in a single, shallow layer rather than stacking them, as this can help the mac and cheese cool and reheat more evenly.

IN THE FREEZER: If you want to freeze the mac and cheese, let it cool completely after cooking, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

REHEATING: There are several ways to reheat the mac and cheese. If you’re reheating a single serving, the microwave is a quick and easy option.

• Microwave: Place the mac and cheese in a microwave-safe dish, and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat it on medium power for 1-2 minutes or until heated through, stirring once or twice for even heating.

• Oven: If you’re reheating a larger amount, you can use the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the mac and cheese with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

If the mac and cheese was frozen, make sure it has been thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Why We Love This Recipe

ULTRA-CHEESY: This recipe boasts an abundance of creamy, gooey cheese, creating a luscious and indulgent mac and cheese that’s every cheese lover’s dream. It’s the ultimate comfort food.

RESTAURANT QUALITY: The combination of high-quality cheeses and seasonings in this recipe results in a flavor profile that rivals what you’d find in a top-notch restaurant.

EASY TO PREPARE: Despite its gourmet taste, this mac and cheese is surprisingly easy to make. The straightforward instructions and readily available ingredients ensure that you can whip up this delicious dish with ease.

Cheese lovers rejoice, this million-dollar mac and cheese with its delicious cheese sauce and panko crumbs on top will undoubtedly become your favorite mac and cheese recipe.

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