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    Homepage » Recipes

    Baked Mac and Cheese (So Creamy and Cheesy)

    Published: Nov 18, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 7 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Baked Mac and Cheese

    The Classic Baked Mac and Cheese with ultra cheesy sauce and topped with crispy buttery breadcrumb. It's the perfect side dish that goes well with any weeknight or holiday meal. It's so tasty and comforting! Kids and adults will enjoy it!

    Macaroni and Cheese

    Skip boxed Mac and Cheese and make your own at home today! This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is so good and easy to prepare! You can serve it with this roasted half-chicken or these crispy grilled chicken wings.

    Jump to:
    • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
    • The Best Baked Mac and Cheese, Ever!
    • The Best Ingredients for Creamy Macaroni and Cheese:
    • How to Bake Macaroni and Cheese to Perfection:
    • Tips to Make the Best Mac and Cheese:
    • How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time:
    • How to Store Leftover Baked Mac and Cheese:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

    Mac and Cheese (aka macaroni and cheese) is one of my favorite comfort foods.

    If you're on a health kick and don't have these delights often I think this one is worth every counted calorie!

    The crisp topping and unique cheesy taste separate it from the rest.

    So here's my favorite Baked Mac and Cheese recipe!

    The Best Baked Mac and Cheese, Ever!

    This Mac n Cheese is loaded with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni and creamy cheese sauce. It's a basic Mac and Cheese that you can serve with any toppings you like, such as lobster, bacon, or crab.

    Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    The Best Ingredients for Creamy Macaroni and Cheese:

    To make this oven-baked mac n cheese, you will need the following ingredients:

    • Small elbow macaroni
    • Heavy cream
    • Milk
    • Sharp cheddar cheese
    • Gruyere cheese
    • Panko breadcrumbs
    • Unsalted butter
    • All-purpose flour
    • Mustard powder
    • Garlic
    • Paprika
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    Baked Mac and Cheese

    How to Bake Macaroni and Cheese to Perfection:

    This baked Mac and Cheese is so easy to put together. Here are some easy steps that you need to do:

    Step 1. Cook the pasta and drain really well.

    Roux

    Step 2. Make the béchamel sauce by combining butter, all-purpose flour, heavy cream, and milk until silky smooth and creamy.

    Bechamel Sauce

    Step 3. Add spices and add cheese into the sauce.

    Step 4. Combine cheesy sauce with pasta.

    Cheesy Sauce for Mac n Cheese

    Step 5. Transfer the macaroni and cheese sauce mixture to a deep 9-inch or any medium-size baking dish.

    Elbow Macaroni and Cheesy Sauce

    Step 6. Mix melted butter with breadcrumbs and sprinkle evenly on top of the pasta and cheese mixture.

    How to Bake Pasta

    Step 7. Bake in the oven just until the cheese is melted.

    Tips to Make the Best Mac and Cheese:

    #1. Do not overcook the pasta

    I recommend cooking the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the direction. Drain well then add about ½  tablespoon of butter or oil into pasta to prevent them from sticking together.

    #2. Use freshly grated cheese.

    Buy a block of cheese and shred it with a grater. It tastes better and cheaper than pre-shredded cheese.

    Do not use pre-shredded cheese because they contain preservatives like potato starch to keep them from clumping together. This anti-caking agent makes the cheese shreds don't melt together. As a result, the sauce turns grainy and gritty.

    Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

    #3. Use warm milk and heavy cream

    Using warm milk and heavy cream creates a smooth and fully blended sauce. Simply warm the milk and heavy cream for about 1-2 minutes in the microwave right before adding to the roux mixture.

    #4. Gradually add the milk and heavy cream and stir constantly!

    How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time:

    You can make this Baked Mac and Cheese recipe ahead of time. Here's how to do it:

    • Make sure that the elbow macaroni pasta has completely drained and cooled down.
    • Pour in the cheese sauce into the pasta and mix well.
    • Add buttered panko breadcrumbs.
    • Transfer to a baking dish, cover tightly with foil.
    • Put in the fridge for 1-2 days ahead or freeze.

    How to Store Leftover Baked Mac and Cheese:

    You can put the leftover in the fridge or freeze them.

    First, you need to cool the leftover mac and cheese completely. After that, store it in separate individual serving containers for easy reheating.

    Properly stored, it will be safe to keep in the fridge for 3-5 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.

    I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Baked Mac and Cheese
    4.94 from 16 votes

    Baked Mac and Cheese

    Rika
    Creamy and cheesy baked mac and cheese! It's an easy side dish to accompany any meal!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 732 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 oz elbow macaroni
    • ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup milk, (microwave for 1 minute)
    • 1¼ cups heavy cream, (microwave for 1½ minutes)
    • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar
    • 1 cup freshly grated gruyerre cheese

    Spices:

    • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Toppings:

    • ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • Cook the pasta in salted boiling water 1 minute less than the direction for al dente (cooked through but still firm). Drain well, add butter/oil. Set aside.
    • In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, stirring constantly until it turns pale brown for about 1-2 minutes.
    • Gradually pour in milk and cream, whisking constantly for about 4-5 minutes or until béchamel sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat.
    • Add spices and cheeses. Stir to combine. The cheese doesn't need to melt.
    • Pour the cheese sauce into pasta, stir to combine.
    • Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a medium-size baking dish (about 9-inch), sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni with panko breadcrumb, melted butter, and salt mixture.
    • Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
      If the pasta becomes bubbly before the top is golden, continue cooking under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp the topping.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 732kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 25gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1766IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 583mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Baked Mac and Cheese, Baked Mac n Cheese, Mac and Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    1. Lisa Huff

      November 18, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      Ohhh this mac and cheese will make the perfect Thanksgiving side dish next week!

      Reply
    2. Tara

      November 19, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow! Such a gorgeous Mac and cheese! Absolutely love all the photos and that panko breadcrumb topping.

      Reply
      • Rika Livingston

        November 25, 2020 at 2:11 pm

        Panko breadcrumb is absolutely the best!

    3. Jessica

      November 19, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Now this looks like the ultimate mac and cheese recipe! I can't wait to make this for Thanksgiving next week!

      Reply
    4. Katie

      November 19, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! Can't wait to try it! I know my family will go crazy for it.

      Reply
    5. Alison

      November 19, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      This is an ultra creamy cheesy mac and cheese! I love the smoky addition of paprika!

      Reply
      • Rika Livingston

        November 25, 2020 at 2:11 pm

        Thanks, Alison!

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