Baked Mac and Cheese (So Creamy and Cheesy)

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!

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
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Tips to Make the Best Mac and Cheese
• How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time
• Storage
• Reheating
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese, also known as mac and cheese, holds a special place in my heart as one of my ultimate comfort foods. Even if you're currently prioritizing health and don't indulge in such delights frequently, I firmly believe this dish is worth every calorie you account for.

What sets this dish apart is the delightful contrast between its crispy topping and the distinct, delectable cheesiness that defines it. Without further ado, allow me to share with you my all-time favorite recipe for Baked Mac and Cheese!

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.

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Ingredients

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

• Small elbow macaroni. This is the pasta base for your macaroni and cheese. It provides the structure and bulk of the dish, offering a satisfying texture and shape for the creamy cheese sauce to cling to.
• Heavy cream. Heavy cream is a rich and thick dairy product that adds a luxurious creaminess to your mac and cheese. It makes the sauce smooth and velvety.
• Milk. Milk is used to thin out the cheese sauce and adjust its consistency. It also contributes to the overall creaminess of the dish without making it too heavy.
• Sharp cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese is the star of mac and cheese, providing a bold, tangy, and sharp flavor. It also melts well, giving your dish a gooey texture.
• Gruyere cheese. Gruyere is a Swiss cheese known for its nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It complements the cheddar, adding complexity to the cheese sauce.
• Panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are used as a topping to create a crispy, golden crust on the macaroni and cheese when baked. They provide a delightful contrast in texture.

• Unsalted butter. Butter is used to make the roux, a mixture of fat and flour, which serves as the base for the cheese sauce. It adds richness and helps thicken the sauce.
• All-purpose flour. Flour is combined with butter to create the roux, which thickens the sauce. It prevents the cheese sauce from being too runny and helps it adhere to the pasta.
• Mustard powder. Mustard powder is an optional but common ingredient in mac and cheese. It adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor to the dish. It can enhance the cheese sauce's overall taste.
• Garlic. Garlic is often used for flavor in mac and cheese. It provides a savory, aromatic element that complements the richness of the cheese sauce.
• Paprika. Paprika adds a touch of smokiness and mild heat to the dish. It can enhance the overall flavor profile of your mac and cheese.
• Salt. Salt is a crucial seasoning that enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients and balances the richness of the cheese and dairy. It also helps bring out the flavors of the dish.
• Black Pepper. Black pepper adds a bit of heat and a pleasant spiciness to the mac and cheese. It complements the cheesy and creamy flavors.

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Instructions

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.

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

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

Step 4. Combine cheesy sauce with pasta.

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

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

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

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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 to the 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 is 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.

#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 them to the roux mixture.

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

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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:

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

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Storage

Discard any leftover mac n cheese that has been left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature or 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. You can learn more here.

• First, you need to cool the leftover mac and cheese completely.
• After that, store it in an airtight container or separate individual serving containers for easy reheating.
• Properly stored, the leftover will last 3-5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Reheating

You can reheat the leftover mac and cheese in the oven or microwave.

How to Reheat the Mac and Cheese in the Oven:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the leftover mac and cheese in an oven-safe baking dish.
• Add a tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese.
• Cover the baking dish with foil.
• Reheat for 20 minutes or until hot.

How to Reheat the Mac and Cheese in the Microwave:

• Place a single serving of mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Drizzle with a small amount of milk.
• Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small opening.
• Reheat at 50% power (or medium setting) for 1 minute.
• Remove mac and cheese from the microwave and stir.

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