Indulge in the rich and creamy Ultimate 6 Cheese Mac, combining a blend of Fontina, Havarti, Gouda, Gruyère, and Cheddar cheeses with a smooth cheese sauce for a decadent meal, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs baked to perfection.
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook about 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water, then toss it with a little olive oil in a large bowl to prevent sticking.
2. In a separate saucepan, warm up the milk and cream until just hot (do not boil) and keep it on low heat. In a large pot, melt 3/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Add the flour to make a roux, whisking constantly until it forms a smooth paste and turns a light golden color.
3. Slowly add the heated milk and cream mixture to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard.
4. Shred all the cheeses except the Parmesan. Mix all the shredded cheeses together and set aside about 1/4 of the cheese mixture for layering later. Gradually add the remaining 3/4 of the shredded cheese mixture into the sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.
5. Taste the cheese sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat thoroughly.
6. Grease an 8-quart casserole or baking dish. Pour half of the mac and cheese mixture into the dish, sprinkle with half of the reserved shredded cheese, then add the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finish with the rest of the shredded cheese.
7. In a small pan, melt the 1/4 cup of butter. Combine the melted butter with panko breadcrumbs, a sprinkle of paprika, and about half a cup of shredded Parmesan. Mix until combined and sprinkle evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes until bubbling. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
