This baked mac and cheese recipe is a classic that both children and adults enjoy. It employs a variety of cheeses that are both piled in the dish and melted into a thick and creamy cheese sauce for the ultimate in cheesy goodness! Ideal for a hearty supper or as a festive side dish!
Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked mac and cheese is almost the worldwide comfort meal, and there are so many variants! In fact, we nearly didn’t share this recipe since there are so many mac and cheese recipes out there, and most people already have their favourite method of preparing it.
Of course, there is no “right” or “wrong” approach, so we’re here to share how we prefer to prepare my mac & cheese.
How to Make Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese
Making baked creamy mac and cheese is a delightful and comforting dish. Here’s a recipe to create this classic favorite:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs (optional, for a crispy topping)
Instructions:
Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour to create a paste (this is called a roux). Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the roux turns a light golden color.
Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk. Continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
Season the Sauce: Stir in the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust these seasonings to your taste.
Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted, and the sauce is smooth.
Combine with Macaroni: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese sauce is bubbling.
Serve: Allow the baked mac and cheese to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this creamy, cheesy goodness!
Feel free to customize your mac and cheese by adding ingredients like cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for an extra crunchy topping. Baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish to complement various meals.
Baked Mac and Cheese Cooking Tips
- Boiling the pasta – boil the pasta for less time than usual. We prefer to cook ours elbow pasta for 4 to 5 minutes. You don’t want the pasta to get mushy while it cooks in the oven.
- If possible, use room temperature drinks… Cold liquids thicken more slowly than heated liquids. While the pasta water is heating up, we normally lay up my milk and half & half.
- Choose your favourite cheeses! The cheddar and gruyere used in this recipe are our personal favourites, but you may be quite creative with the cheese choices. Mozzarella, gouda, smoked gouda, swiss, monterey jack, colby jack, colby jack, colby. There are a lot of reader comments regarding the cheeses they used down below the recipe!
- Shred your own — I know it’s a bother, and the pre-shredded cheese in the packets is SO tempting. However, the cheese packets include a starchy component that prevents the cheese from clumping… but also prevents it from melting as effectively as it should.
Variations of Mac and Cheese
- You don’t have to bake mac and cheese if you prefer cooking it on a stovetop. Make sure to cook your pasta to al dente (see the package for exact timings), and you’ll only need around 3 – 3 1/2 cups of mozzarella total. There is no need to stack the pasta and cheese; just add all of the cheese to the sauce before combining with the pasta.
- Toppings — we love the cheese layer on top because it becomes nice and crispy, but we also like mixing 1 cup panko with 2 Tbsp melted butter and using it as a topping. 1 cup smashed Ritz crackers with 2 tablespoons butter also works well!
- Different Baking Times — The recipe asks for a reduced baking temperature and time, but I usually change that depending on my family’s preferences. I bake this mac and cheese for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then broil for 2-3 minutes to achieve that lovely cheesy “crust.”
Make the Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time
- Make according to package directions (but do not bake), then move to a baking dish and cool fully. Refrigerate for 1-2 days ahead, carefully wrapped in foil.
- Allow the dish to set on the counter for 30 minutes before baking.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbling, at the specified temperature.
As with other mac and cheese recipes, this one loses some of its creaminess when cooked beforehand. This meal has been tested and shown to provide the best results when prepared immediately. If you need to prepare this dish ahead of time, I would slightly increase the quantity of sauce.
Storing Mac and Cheese
Any leftovers should be refrigerated and carefully covered. This method of storing mac and cheese will keep it fresh for 3-4 days.
To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream and place in a microwave-safe dish partly covered with plastic wrap. As it reheats, stir often.
