This baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by both children and adults. It uses a combination of cheeses, layered in the dish as well as melted into a rich and creamy cheese sauce, for the ultimate in cheesy deliciousness! Perfect for a comforting dinner or as a holiday side dish!
Baked mac and cheese. It’s nearly the universal comfort food, and there are SO many variations! In fact, I almost didn’t post this recipe, as there are SOOOO many mac and cheese recipes available, and most people already have their favorite way of making it.
Of course, there’s no “right” way or “wrong” way, so I’m here sharing the way I like to make my mac and cheese (the way my family loves it too).
Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by children and adults.
Prep: 20min
Total: 35min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 665 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 41 g, Saturated Fat 25 g, Cholesterol 126 mg, Sodium 700 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. dried elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups half and half
- 4 cups shredded medium sharp cheddar cheese (divided (measured after shredding))
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (divided (measured after shredding))
- 1/2 Tbsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
Instruction:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 3 qt baking dish (9×13″). Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking.
- While water is coming up to a boil, shred cheeses and toss together to mix, then divide into three piles. Approximately 3 cups for the sauce, 1 1/2 cups for the inner layer, and 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over MED heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Mixture will look like very wet sand. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in about 2 cups or so of the half and half, while whisking constantly, until smooth. Slowly pour in the remaining half and half and the whole milk, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
- Continue to heat over MED heat, whisking very often, until thickened to a very thick consistency. It should almost be the consistency of a semi thinned out condensed soup.
- Remove from the heat and stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle the top with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | How to Make Mac and Cheese
FAQ
What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese?
- Cheddar. Cheddar is a staple for countless recipes. …
- Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. …
- Gruyere. Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. …
- Brie. …
- Smoked Gouda. …
- Monterey Jack. …
- Fontina. …
- Sausage Mac and Cheese.
How to make the easiest macaroni and cheese?
- In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil.
- Add the pasta and stir constantly until the pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, then add the cheddar. Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is evenly coated.
- Enjoy!
What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better?
- Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. …
- Bacon + Peas + Egg. …
- Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. …
- Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. …
- Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. …
- Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. …
- Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.
How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?
That final layer of cheese on top isn’t just for looks; it also helps keep the saucy noodles underneath from drying out during baking. Breadcrumbs also help insulate the noodles, acting as a protective layer while baking that also happens to add a nice little crunch.
