Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese

This is a rendition of a macaroni and cheese dish a local restaurant makes. It's so rich and decadent I only make it once per year. It's not a "dieter's friend". You can use any pasta shape you like.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 300 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ cup half-and-half
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• cooking spray
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups penne pasta
• ½ cup Oaxaca cheese, shredded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cream, half-and-half, and garlic salt. Add Gruyere cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Oaxaca cheese. Stir into cream until melted. Drain pasta and add to the sauce; stir to coat.

Step 4

Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and pour in pasta mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.