Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

This four cheese mac and cheese recipe is a staple in our kitchen any time of year. It's delicious, comforting, and everyone enjoys it. If you love Applebees four cheese mac and cheese, you are going to love this homemade version.

It's a no-bake recipe that uses the classic stovetop method and results in an extra creamy dish that's anything but dried out. You don't even need to turn on the oven!

To make it, we start by making a classic béchamel sauce which is basically butter, flour, and milk. Then we stir in the cheese and dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper. Stir in some cooked macaroni, and voilà. Ooey gooey cheesy pasta!

Enjoy it on its own or with a protein main or vegetable side. It's a quick and easy meal for weeknights but it's also elevated enough for special occasions (and it tastes great with a glass of wine).

Four cheese mac and cheese ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this four cheese mac and cheese that tastes just like Applebee's!

• Elbow macaroni – we used regular elbow macaroni pasta for this recipe, but you can easily use gluten-free pasta or a different short shape like penne or fusilli.
• Butter – a generous amount of butter adds richness and is the base of the béchamel sauce.
• Onion – just an everyday yellow onion sautéd in the butter before adding the flour.
• Flour – we use regular all-purpose flour which is traditional for béchamel sauce. But you can use a gluten-free flour blend, sweet rice flour (also called glutinous rice flour), or potato starch as gluten-free options.
• Sea salt
• Whole milk – we love the creaminess of whole milk nice in this recipe, but any milk will work.
• Cheese – for this four-cheese mix, we use sharp cheddar cheese, nutty gruyère, sweet and creamy fontina, and bold parmesan cheese. You definitely don't need to use all four, and you can switch them up if there's a different cheese you'd like to use. We do recommend using blocks of cheese instead of packaged pre-grated cheese because it melts better and tastes fresher.
• Dijon mustard – adds dimension and flavor.
• Black pepper – for serving, to taste.

How to make this four cheese macaroni and cheese recipe

This 4 cheese mac and cheese is delicious as a simple meal or side dish. Here's how to make it in a couple of easy steps:

1. Start by boiling the macaroni noodles until they're al dente.
2. To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a pot then add the onion and sauté until it softens. Add the flour, then slowly begin to pour in the milk while whisking constantly. It will thicken and you'll know it's ready when the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
3. Add the cheeses to the sauce, along with the dijon, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and serve with some fresh pepper and a sprinkle of grated white cheddar cheese on top. Spoon it into bowls or transfer it to a baking dish or casserole dish if you're serving it family-style. Enjoy!

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

FAQS

What to serve with four cheese mac and cheese

Enjoy this four cheese macaroni and cheese as a quick and comforting meal on its own or as a tasty side any time of the year. For many people, mac and cheese is a staple at Thanksgiving dinner, and it's arguably always the best part of the plate.

It pairs perfectly with protein mains and easy vegetable sides like roasted broccoli, pan seared brussels sprouts, or a green salad.

Protein mains that taste especially delicious with four cheese mac and cheese

• Hot Honey Chicken
• Lemon Pepper Chicken
• Honey Mustard Pork Chops