Creamy Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Creamy, rich baked macaroni and cheese offers comfort in every golden, bubbling bite.

Melted cheese creates a luxurious blanket that refines simple pasta into a culinary masterpiece.

Home cooks everywhere understand this dish represents more than just a meal—it’s pure nostalgia on a plate.

Traditional recipes blend multiple cheese varieties with perfectly cooked noodles for maximum flavor intensity.

Crispy breadcrumb toppings add delightful texture and crunch to the smooth, velvety base.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this classic recipe elevates ordinary ingredients into something truly special.

The perfect balance of crisp exterior and molten interior makes this dish irresistible to family and friends.

Why Everyone Loves Baked Macaroni and Cheese

• Craft a Cheesy Flavor Explosion: This mac and cheese delivers an incredible depth of flavor with multiple cheese varieties, creating a rich and complex taste profile that goes beyond ordinary recipes.
• Master a Fool-Proof Technique: The step-by-step method ensures perfect cheese sauce consistency, making it easy for home cooks of all skill levels to achieve a creamy, luxurious dish without stress.
• Create Textural Wonderland: The recipe offers an irresistible combination of creamy sauce and crispy cheese topping, providing a delightful contrast in every single bite that keeps you coming back for more.
• Enjoy Quick Comfort Cooking: With just 40 minutes total time and simple ingredients, this mac and cheese transforms a classic comfort food into a gourmet experience that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Ingredients for Baked Macaroni and Cheese

• Pasta Noodles (Elbow or Rotini): Classic choice for maximum cheese sauce coverage, with sturdy shape that holds sauce beautifully.

• Medium Cheddar, Colby Jack, Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar, White Cheddar, Cream Cheese: Rich, melty cheese combination providing complex flavor profile and smooth texture, with variety ensuring depth and creaminess.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create smooth roux for sauce base.
• Heavy Cream, Half and Half: Creates luxurious, silky sauce with perfect consistency.
• Reserved Pasta Water: Helps adjust sauce thickness and adds starchy richness.

• Garlic, Onion Powder, Paprika, Mustard Powder: Aromatic spices that enhance overall cheese flavor and add subtle depth.
• Flour: Crucial for creating roux and thickening cheese sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating the entire dish's flavor.

How to Cook Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Initial Cooking Elements

• Mince garlic finely
• Cut butter into portioned pieces
• Grab a large casserole dish

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

• Reserve half cup of pasta water
• Drain pasta thoroughly
• Transfer pasta to casserole dish
• Coat pasta with butter

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

Heat skillet over medium-high temperature. Melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and golden.

Step 4: Develop Creamy Sauce Foundation

• Reserved pasta water
• Heavy cream
• Half and half

Continuously whisk until sauce thickens, approximately 4 minutes.

Step 5: Incorporate Cheese Mixture

• Remaining shredded cheeses
• Room temperature cream cheese
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Mustard powder

Ensure complete melting and smooth consistency.

Step 6: Combine and Top

Pour cheese sauce over buttered noodles. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Bake for 10 minutes
• Switch to broil
• Cook until cheese turns crispy and golden (approximately 5 minutes)

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven. Allow 3-5 minutes cooling time. Serve immediately.

Tips to Nail Baked Macaroni and Cheese

• Shred Strategically: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for smoother, more flavorful melting and better texture.
• Control Pasta Doneness: Slightly undercook pasta before baking, as it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce to prevent mushy noodles.
• Layer Cheese Carefully: Reserve some cheese for topping to create a golden, crispy crust that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Maintain Sauce Consistency: Whisk continuously while creating the cheese sauce to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, creamy mixture.
• Broil with Caution: Watch the final broiling stage closely to achieve a perfectly golden top without burning the cheese.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Macaroni and Cheese

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled mac and cheese into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and absorption of other food odors.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread macaroni in a baking dish, add a splash of milk to restore creaminess, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to restore crispy cheese topping.
• Microwave Option: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Pairing Ideas for Baked Macaroni and Cheese

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Complement the rich, creamy mac and cheese with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, cutting through the cheese's heaviness and enhancing the dish's robust flavors.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Green Salad: Balance the indulgent pasta with a light, tangy arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, providing a refreshing contrast to the cheesy decadence.
• Match with Crunchy Garlic Bread: Add a crispy texture sidekick that echoes the dish's garlicky undertones, offering a delightful crunch and extra layer of comfort to the meal.
• Cool Down with Chilled Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or smooth amber ale to cleanse the palate and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy, cheesy goodness of the mac and cheese.

Creative Baked Macaroni and Cheese Variations

• Smoky Southwest Blast: Replace half the cheddar with pepper jack cheese and sprinkle crumbled bacon and diced green chilies on top before baking for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Mix in crumbled feta, chopped fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes to transform the classic recipe into a Mediterranean-inspired dish with bright, tangy flavors.
• Truffle Luxury Edition: Drizzle white truffle oil over the finished mac and cheese, and fold in sautéed wild mushrooms for an elegant, rich gourmet experience that elevates the traditional comfort food.
• Green Protein Power: Incorporate steamed broccoli florets and diced grilled chicken into the recipe, adding nutritional value and extra protein while maintaining the creamy cheese sauce's delicious profile.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy, classic macaroni and cheese brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Melted cheddar, pasta, and a golden breadcrumb topping create a hearty dish that satisfies souls and sparks joy with each cheesy, delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Shredded Medium Cheddar
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Shredded Colby Jack
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Shredded Mozzarella
• 4 ounces (113 grams) Shredded Sharp Cheddar
• 4 ounces (113 grams) Shredded White Cheddar
• ¼ cup Whipped Cream Cheese

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) Pasta Noodles (elbow or rotini recommended)
• 7 tablespoons Room Temperature Butter, divided
• 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water
• ½ cup Heavy Cream
• 3.5 cups Half and Half
• 4 Garlic Cloves, minced

Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
• ½ teaspoon Paprika
• ½ teaspoon Mustard Powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly shred three varieties of cheese, setting aside one cup each of medium cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella for the final cheese topping.
2. Finely mince fresh garlic and prepare butter portions in advance.
3. Heat the oven to 425°F and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until slightly undercooked, maintaining a firm texture. Drain and transfer to a spacious casserole dish, coating the noodles with a generous layer of butter.
4. Create a robust roux by melting butter in a skillet and sautéing garlic until its aroma fills the kitchen. The garlic should become translucent without browning.
5. Gradually incorporate flour into the butter-garlic mixture, stirring constantly to develop a golden base. Pour in reserved pasta water, heavy cream, and half and half, whisking until the sauce reaches a smooth, thickened consistency.
6. Reduce heat and integrate the remaining shredded cheeses methodically, ensuring complete melting between additions. Blend in cream cheese and dry seasonings, creating a velvety, rich sauce with complex flavor profiles.
7. Carefully fold the cheese sauce into the buttered pasta, guaranteeing even distribution. Spread the reserved cheese blend evenly across the surface for a tantalizing crisp topping.
8. Bake for 10 minutes, then activate the broiler to transform the cheese into a golden, crispy crust. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
9. Allow the dish to rest briefly after removing from the oven, permitting the sauce to set and flavors to harmonize before serving.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and prevent last-minute scrambling.
• Shredding cheese manually ensures better melting and creates a more authentic, creamy texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Letting the mac and cheese rest briefly after baking allows the sauce to set, making serving easier and preventing burning your mouth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg