Smoky Four Cheese Macaroni Bake

Ingredients

• 1 package macaroni , 12 ounce
• 0.25 cups butter
• 0.5 cups minced onion
• 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic
• 0.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups half-and-half cream
• 1.5 cups milk
• 0.5 teaspoons dry mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoons liquid smoke flavoring , Optional
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 package cream cheese , 8 ounce
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 0.33 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 0.5 cups bread crumbs
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook for 3 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the garlic, and continue cooking until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 2 minutes more. Slowly stir in the flour, and cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in the half-and-half and milk, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in mustard powder and liquid smoke; simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, along with the cream cheese, Swiss, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar cheeses; stir until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the drained macaroni noodles. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs over the macaroni

5. 5

   Bake in preheated oven until bubbly and brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.