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Midwest Five Cheese Bake

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Comforting baked pasta loaded with five kinds of cheese and tender macaroni for a satisfying bite. Quick and easy, just 30 minutes needed.

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:34 GMT
Close view of baked mac and cheese with a golden, bubbly topping. Pin it
Close view of baked mac and cheese with a golden, bubbly topping. | cuisinegenial.com

Tasty Handcrafted Midwest Five Cheese Dish

Here's my go-to cheese dish that my family begs for whenever comfort food is on the menu. This no-fuss approach transforms regular mac and cheese into something amazing with five different cheeses blending into a dreamy, velvety delight. I'm crazy about how the cream cheese and sour cream bring a zesty kick that really makes this stand out. It's always a crowd-pleaser whether you're whipping it up for a quiet night in or taking it to share at a gathering.

What Makes This No-Fuss Dish Special

  • That golden cheesy top is simply mouth-watering
  • It works as both a main dish or fancy side
  • Quick prep saves you time on busy evenings
  • Five amazing cheeses create stunning flavor complexity

No-Fuss Ingredients for Five Cheese Dish

  • Pasta: Pick any stubby pasta for this straightforward dish.
  • Mozzarella: Gives us that stretchy melt we all crave.
  • Swiss & Provolone: They pack such wonderful taste.
  • Parmesan: Delivers that needed salty punch.
  • Cream Cheese: Turns everything super smooth and luxurious.
  • Sour Cream: Brings a nice zingy touch to the mix.
  • Seasonings: Basic spices make every mouthful tasty.

No-Fuss Step-by-Step Directions

Nail Your Pasta Cooking
Get a big pot of water bubbling away and don't skimp on salt - it should remind you of ocean water. Toss in your pasta but cook it about 2 minutes less than what the box says. You want it slightly firm when you bite into it. Drain thoroughly but skip rinsing - that sticky coating helps our cheese stick better.
Mix Up Your Cheese Combo
While pasta's boiling, let's get that awesome sauce going. Start with cream cheese in a big bowl and make sure it's not cold from the fridge for best mixing. Dump in your grated cheeses and sour cream, then stir until you've got this gorgeous creamy mix. If it looks too stiff, splash in a bit of the hot pasta water - it works wonders for making sauces smooth.
Put It All Together
Now for the fun part. Add your hot pasta to your cheese mix bit by bit, gently folding everything together. You want all pasta pieces wrapped in that yummy sauce. Add salt and pepper carefully - remember, cheese already has salt. Give everything one last gentle stir, checking there's no bare pasta hiding anywhere.
Bake It Just Right
Scoop your mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out but don't smash it down - we want some edges to get crunchy. Stick it in your 375°F oven for around 25 minutes. Look for a nice golden top with cheese bubbling at the sides. Want extra crispiness? Flip to broil for the last minute but don't walk away or it'll burn.
Cool Down and Dish Up
Now comes the tough part - waiting 5-10 minutes after it's out of the oven. This helps everything set up nice and firm so you won't burn your tongue on hot cheese. Plus, it won't fall apart when you serve it. Feeling fancy? Toss some chopped fresh herbs on top right before you bring it to the table.

Tricks for No-Fuss Results

  • Grate It Yourself: Spend a few minutes shredding cheese by hand for way better melting.
  • Don't Overcook Pasta: Keep it a bit firm since it'll soften more in the oven.
  • Get Creative: Don't be afraid to swap cheeses based on what you love.
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. | cuisinegenial.com

Quick Serving Suggestions

Dish up this handcrafted cheese bake straight from the oven when it's all gooey and wonderful. Pair it with:

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

A Heartwarming No-Fuss Classic

This homemade five cheese dish gets everyone running to dinner with its creamy cheese blend and spot-on seasoning. It's fancy enough for guests but simple enough for midweek meals. Just look at those stretchy cheese pulls as you dish it up - they're totally Instagram-worthy!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s better about fresh cheese?

Shredding it yourself ensures it melts smoothly without clumps.

→ Can other pasta shapes be used?

Absolutely, any small pasta will work fine here.

→ Why soften cream cheese first?

Mixes better with the rest of the ingredients for a smoother blend.

→ Can I prep this in advance?

You can put it together a day early, just let it warm up a bit before baking.

→ Is freezing this a good idea?

Not ideal since dairy-heavy dishes can separate after freezing.

Five Cheese Bake

Creamy baked pasta packed with five cheeses, Italian herbs, and a crisp, golden crust on top.

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

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13 dish using nonstick spray.

Step 02

Mix grated mozzarella, Swiss, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses with the softened cream cheese in a big bowl.

Step 03

Set aside 3/4 cup of the cheese blend for the topping later.

Step 04

In a different bowl, stir together the heavy cream, sour cream, and all the spices until smooth.

Step 05

Boil macaroni in salty water according to the package instructions until it’s just tender.

Step 06

Immediately toss the drained, hot pasta into the cheese mixture while the pasta is still steaming.

Step 07

Drizzle the cream and seasoning mixture over the pasta and cheese while still warm.

Step 08

Give everything a good mix until the cheeses start melting and blending together.

Step 09

Pour everything into the greased dish.

Step 10

Scatter the reserved cheese evenly over the top.

Step 11

Pop it into the oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese on top turns golden.

Step 12

Keep an eye on it so the cheese on top doesn’t burn.

Step 13

Take it out of the oven once the top is perfectly golden.

Step 14

Let it cool off for a couple of minutes before serving.

Step 15

Dish it up while it’s still hot and gooey.

Notes

  1. Classic Midwest comfort dish.
  2. Using freshly shredded cheese works best.
  3. Fast and easy to make.
  4. Serve right away for best taste.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 dish for baking.
  • Big bowls for mixing.
  • Cheese grater.
  • Wooden spoon for stirring.

Allergy Information

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