The Creamiest Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Everyone Will Love

Mac and cheese holds the ultimate comfort food crown, promising creamy indulgence with every delightful bite.

Warm, gooey cheese redefines simple pasta into a culinary masterpiece that speaks directly to your soul.

Family gatherings and solo dinners alike find magic in this classic dish’s universal appeal.

Homemade versions elevate the experience far beyond boxed alternatives, unlocking rich flavors and nostalgic memories.

Crispy golden breadcrumbs and melted cheese create a textural symphony that tantalizes taste buds and warms hearts.

Authentic ingredients make all the difference between a good mac and cheese and an extraordinary one.

Crafting this beloved recipe requires passion, patience, and a willingness to embrace delicious imperfection.

Baked Mac and Cheese With That Golden Crunch

• Creamy Comfort Explosion: Indulge in a luxurious mac and cheese experience that wraps you in pure, velvety comfort with its rich, molten cheese sauce and perfectly cooked pasta.
• Textural Triumph: Enjoy the delightful contrast between the crispy, buttery panko breadcrumb topping and the incredibly smooth, silky cheese sauce that coats each pasta noodle.
• Gourmet Flavor Upgrade: Elevate the classic mac and cheese with sophisticated cheese choices like sharp cheddar and Gruyère, creating a depth of flavor that transforms this simple dish into a culinary masterpiece.

Ingredients That Make Baked Mac and Cheese So Comforting

Main Ingredients:

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce, choose high-quality brand for best texture.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Gruyère Cheese: Combination provides rich and complex flavor profile, select freshly grated cheese for smoother melting.

• Whole Milk: Creamy base for sauce, ensures smooth and luxurious consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and depth to cheese sauce, helps create velvety texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides smooth foundation for sauce and adds subtle richness.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to cheese sauce.
• Mustard Powder: Brings subtle tangy background note to cheese sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Provides mild, aromatic flavor enhancement.
• Paprika: Offers gentle smoky undertone and beautiful color.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy golden crust on mac and cheese.
• Melted Butter: Helps breadcrumbs achieve golden brown color and extra richness.

How to Bake the Creamiest Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C). Grab a 9-inch baking dish and set it nearby.

Step 2: Prepare the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in some salt. Bring to a rolling boil and cook elbow macaroni until just shy of fully done. Drain completely and toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until the mixture turns a warm golden color and smells nutty. Slowly pour in milk and cream, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.

Step 4: Flavor Explosion

• Mustard powder
• Garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Paprika
• Black pepper

Whisk until the sauce becomes thick and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Cheese Party

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Gruyère cheese

Mix until the cheeses start to melt and create a silky sauce.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Cheese

Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta. Stir gently until every noodle is generously coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 7: Crunchy Topping Prep

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Melted butter
• Pinch of salt

Sprinkle this golden mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese bubbles with excitement. For extra crispiness, hit the broiler for a quick minute.

Step 9: Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece and let it cool for a few minutes.

Mac and Cheese Tips That Change Everything

• Master the Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni just shy of package instructions to prevent mushy mac and cheese after baking.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk milk and cream slowly into the roux to guarantee a smooth, lump-free béchamel base.
• Upgrade Cheese Selection: Blend sharp cheddar with Gruyère for complex, rich flavor that melts beautifully and delivers restaurant-quality depth.
• Boost Crumb Topping: Toast panko breadcrumbs with butter before sprinkling to ensure maximum crunchiness and golden-brown color.
• Prevent Cheese Separation: Remove sauce from heat before fully melting cheese to maintain a creamy, not grainy, final texture.

Keeping Baked Mac and Cheese Delicious the Next Day

• Refrigerate: Cool the mac and cheese completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Stir gently halfway through reheating to distribute heat evenly.

Best Mains and Greens to Serve With Baked Mac and Cheese

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness of the cheesy pasta, providing a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Complement with Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add a zesty, fresh element that balances the creamy mac and cheese and introduces a vibrant texture.
• Match with Smoky Protein Side: Serve alongside grilled chicken or crispy bacon bits to add a protein punch and introduce a smoky depth that enhances the cheese's complexity and provides a satisfying protein complement.
• Cool Down with Tangy Pickles: Add a small side of dill pickles or quick-pickled vegetables to bring a sharp, acidic note that cuts through the mac and cheese's richness and provides a palate-cleansing crunch.

Remix Ideas for Your Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Smoky Bacon Blast: Crisp up chopped bacon and mix it into the mac and cheese before baking, adding a salty and smoky flavor profile that elevates the classic dish.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced jalapeños, green chiles, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to give the mac and cheese a zesty kick with southwestern flair.
• Veggie Power Boost: Fold in roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or bell peppers to add nutrition and texture, creating a more balanced and colorful mac and cheese experience.
• Truffle Mushroom Magic: Sauté wild mushrooms and drizzle truffle oil over the top before baking, introducing an elegant and earthy dimension to the traditional comfort food.

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy mac and cheese brings Southern comfort to your table with its rich, golden-brown crust and cheesy interior. Perfectly blended cheddar and gruyère create a luxurious sauce that hugs each pasta shell, promising pure indulgence with every forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni
• 0.5 tablespoons (7.5 milliliters) olive oil or butter

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups (226 grams) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (113 grams) freshly grated Gruyère cheese
• 0.25 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 0.75 cup (177 milliliters) milk
• 1.25 cups (296 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Toppings:

• 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.67 cup (52 grams) panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a scorching 400°F, creating the perfect environment for a golden, crispy topping.
2. Select a robust pot and generate a rolling boil with generously salted water. Submerge elbow macaroni, cooking until just shy of package instructions for that ideal al dente texture. Quickly drain and coat with a light sheen of olive oil to prevent clumping.
3. Craft the foundational béchamel by melting butter in a skillet over moderate heat. Introduce flour, whisking vigilantly until the mixture transforms into a delicate, nutty-hued roux.
4. Methodically stream milk and cream into the roux, maintaining constant agitation. Allow the sauce to thicken and develop a silky consistency that elegantly clings to the back of a wooden spoon.
5. Elevate the sauce’s complexity by incorporating mustard powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, paprika, and freshly cracked black pepper. Fold in sharp cheddar and Gruyère, creating a luxurious cheese amalgamation.
6. Marry the velvety cheese sauce with the prepared pasta, ensuring each pasta curve is lavishly enrobed in the creamy mixture.
7. Transition the mac and cheese into a welcoming baking vessel. Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and a whisper of salt, then generously distribute the golden topping across the surface.
8. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 15-20 minutes. For an ultimate crisp finish, activate the broiler briefly, watching carefully to achieve a perfectly burnished crust.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly cooked pasta by boiling it one minute less than package instructions to maintain a delightful al dente texture.
• Create a smooth béchamel sauce by whisking milk and cream gradually, ensuring a thick and creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
• Blend multiple cheese varieties like sharp cheddar and Gruyère for a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the classic mac and cheese.
• Guarantee a crispy, golden topping by combining panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, which adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Prevent dry mac and cheese by avoiding overcooking and checking the dish around the 15-minute mark to maintain its creamy, luscious texture.
• Use kitchen tools like a whisk and medium-sized baking dish to ensure smooth sauce preparation and even baking results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg