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Midwest Five Cheese Bake

This indulgent pasta dish combines five different cheeses with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni for the ultimate comfort food. Ready in just 30 minutes.

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:30:38 GMT
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A close-up of a baked macaroni and cheese dish with a golden, bubbly crust. Pin it
A close-up of a baked macaroni and cheese dish with a golden, bubbly crust. | zestplate.com

Easy Homemade Midwest Five Cheese Bake

Let me share this simple homemade cheese bake that's become my family's most requested comfort food. This easy recipe takes your favorite mac and cheese to the next level with five kinds of cheese melted into pure creamy perfection. I love how the sour cream and cream cheese add a tangy twist that makes this dish extra special. Whether you're making it for a cozy family dinner or bringing it to a potluck it's always a hit.

Why You'll Love This Easy Recipe

  • Five delicious cheeses create incredible depth of flavor
  • The easy prep makes it perfect for busy weeknights
  • It works as both a main dish or fancy side
  • That golden cheesy top is absolutely irresistible

Easy Ingredients for Five Cheese Bake

  • Pasta: Any short pasta works great in this easy recipe.
  • Mozzarella: Creates that perfect melty base we all love.
  • Provolone & Swiss: These add such amazing flavor.
  • Parmesan: Brings that salty bite we're looking for.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes everything extra creamy and rich.
  • Sour Cream: Adds a lovely tang to the sauce.
  • Seasonings: Simple spices make every bite delicious.

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Start With Perfect Pasta Prep
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil - make sure to salt it well, it should taste like the sea. Add your pasta and keep an eye on the time - we want it just barely al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package suggests. Give it a quick taste test, it should have a tiny bit of resistance when you bite. Drain it well but don't rinse - that starch helps our sauce cling beautifully.
Create the Cheese Blend
While your pasta cooks, let's work on that amazing cheese sauce. Start with your softened cream cheese in a large bowl - make sure it's really room temperature for the smoothest blend. Add your shredded cheeses and sour cream, then mix until everything comes together into this gorgeous, creamy mixture. If it seems too thick, add a splash of warm pasta water - it's like liquid gold for making sauces silky smooth.
Combine Everything with Care
This is where the magic happens. Add your warm pasta to the cheese mixture gradually, folding it in with a gentle touch. You want every single piece of pasta coated in that luxurious sauce. Season it carefully - taste as you go, remembering that cheese adds saltiness too. Give it one final loving stir, making sure there are no patches of plain pasta hiding anywhere.
Perfect Baking Method
Transfer your masterpiece to a well-greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly but don't pack it down - we want some of those edges to get crispy. Pop it into your preheated 375°F oven and let it work its magic for about 25 minutes. You're looking for that perfect golden brown top with bubbling cheese around the edges. If you want extra browning on top, switch to broil for the last minute but watch it like a hawk.
Rest and Serve
Here's the hardest part - let it rest for about 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This helps everything set up perfectly and ensures you won't burn your mouth on that molten cheese. Plus, it makes serving so much neater. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top just before bringing it to the table.

Tips for Easy Success

  • Fresh Grated is Best: Take a few extra minutes to grate your own cheese it melts so much better.
  • Watch Your Pasta: Keep it slightly firm it'll keep cooking in the oven.
  • Make It Yours: Feel free to switch up the cheeses to match your favorites.
A baked dish of macaroni and cheese with a golden, crispy top and melted cheese pulling apart, served on a wooden board. Pin it
A baked dish of macaroni and cheese with a golden, crispy top and melted cheese pulling apart, served on a wooden board. | zestplate.com

Simple Serving Ideas

Serve this homemade cheese bake hot from the oven when it's at its melty best. Try it with:

  • A fresh green salad on the side
  • Some crusty garlic bread
  • Your favorite roasted vegetables

A Cozy Easy Family Favorite

This simple homemade five cheese bake brings everyone to the table with its rich cheesy goodness and perfect seasoning. It's fancy enough for company but easy enough for Tuesday night dinner. Just watch those cheese pulls as you serve it up they're absolutely picture perfect!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why grate cheese fresh?

Pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

→ Can I use different pasta?

Any short pasta shape works well in this recipe.

→ Why room temperature cream cheese?

Ensures smooth blending with other ingredients without lumps.

→ Can I make ahead?

Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, bring to room temp before baking.

→ Can I freeze this?

Not recommended as dairy-heavy dishes can separate when frozen.

Cheese Pasta Bake

A rich and creamy pasta bake featuring five different cheeses, Italian seasonings and a golden brown cheese topping.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated.
02 1 cup Swiss cheese, grated.
03 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated.
04 1 cup provolone cheese, grated.
05 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature.
06 1/2 cup sour cream.
07 3/4 cup heavy cream.
08 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
09 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
10 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
11 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt.
12 1 pound elbow macaroni.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to exactly 400°F and coat 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.

Step 02

Combine freshly grated mozzarella, Swiss, Parmesan, and provolone with cubed cream cheese in large bowl.

Step 03

Reserve 3/4 cup of cheese mixture specifically for topping.

Step 04

Mix sour cream, heavy cream, and all seasonings thoroughly in separate bowl.

Step 05

Cook pasta in well-salted water according to package directions until al dente.

Step 06

Add hot drained pasta directly to cheese mixture while still very warm.

Step 07

Pour cream mixture over hot pasta and cheese.

Step 08

Stir thoroughly with wooden spoon until cheeses begin melting and combining.

Step 09

Transfer entire mixture to prepared baking dish.

Step 10

Sprinkle reserved cheese mixture evenly across top.

Step 11

Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese topping becomes golden brown.

Step 12

Watch carefully to prevent over-browning of cheese topping.

Step 13

Remove from oven when perfectly golden.

Step 14

Let rest briefly to set.

Step 15

Serve immediately while cheese is hot and melted.

Notes

  1. Midwest comfort food.
  2. Fresh grated cheese recommended.
  3. Quick preparation.
  4. Serve immediately.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Large mixing bowls.
  • Grater.
  • Wooden spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (multiple cheeses, cream).
  • Wheat (pasta).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 333
  • Total Fat: 25.8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 5.6 g
  • Protein: 20.4 g