Simple, Cheesy Perfection: Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Comfort arrives in a deliciously unexpected way with this irresistible baked mac and cheese.

Melted cheese blankets tender pasta in a rich, velvety embrace that feels like a warm hug.

Crispy golden breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch to every single bite.

Memories of childhood dinners flood back with each forkful of this classic dish.

Home cooks and cheese lovers will absolutely adore how simple ingredients transform into something magical.

Weeknight meals just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe that promises pure satisfaction.

Diving into a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why People Can’t Get Enough of Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

• Crafting Creamy Comfort: This mac and cheese delivers ultimate richness with its perfectly blended multi-cheese sauce that coats every pasta noodle in velvety goodness.
• Texture Triumph: The crispy golden breadcrumb topping provides delightful crunch against the smooth, silky cheese sauce, creating an irresistible contrast in every single bite.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a delicious homemade meal without complicated techniques or extensive prep time.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adaptable with different cheese combinations, optional mix-ins like bacon or vegetables, and the ability to adjust spice levels, this mac and cheese becomes a versatile dish that meets everyone's taste preferences.

What’s in Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce, holds sauce well in its curved shape.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Rich and melty cheese combination for deep flavor complexity, sharp cheddar provides strong taste.

• Butter: Creates smooth base for roux, adds richness to sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create creamy texture.
• Whole Milk: Provides silky sauce foundation, creates smooth consistency.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile, balances cheese richness.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle tangy depth to cheese sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Provides background savory note without overwhelming.

• Breadcrumbs, Melted Butter: Creates crispy golden crust on mac and cheese, adds textural contrast.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright color and fresh herb note to finished dish.

How to Make Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Step-by-Step

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop pasta into the bubbling water and cook until tender but still firm. Drain completely and set aside.

Step 2: Create Silky Sauce Base

Melt butter in a spacious saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into melted butter and whisk continuously. Cook the mixture until it transforms into a smooth, golden paste. This process helps eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Texture

Slowly stream milk into the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. The sauce should look smooth and velvety.

Step 4: Layer Cheese Flavors

• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Stir until cheese melts completely, creating a luxurious sauce.

Step 5: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Pour the cheese sauce over cooked pasta. Gently fold until every pasta piece is generously coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer mac and cheese into the dish, spreading evenly.

Step 7: Create Crunchy Topping

• Breadcrumbs
• Melted butter
• Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle the mixture uniformly across the mac and cheese surface.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake until the top turns golden and edges become crispy. For extra crunchiness, broil briefly – but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Allow the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and savor the creamy, cheesy goodness.

Smart Tips for Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

• Pasta Perfection: Cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a delightful texture in the final dish.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter carefully to create a smooth base, which guarantees a creamy, lump-free cheese sauce.
• Cheese Blend Balance: Mix different cheese varieties for a complex, rich flavor profile that elevates the classic mac and cheese.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan for a golden, crunchy layer that adds exciting texture contrast.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular milk with plant-based alternatives and use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this recipe suitable for various dietary needs.

Store Baked Mac and Cheese the Simple Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Pack cooled mac and cheese in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months to maintain best quality and taste.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350F. Spread mac and cheese in a baking dish, add a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Method: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add small amount of milk, cover loosely. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm and creamy.

What to Eat with Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to cut through the rich, creamy cheese sauce. These wines offer a refreshing contrast that balances the dish's heaviness and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Match with Hearty Red Beer: Choose an amber ale or pale lager that complements the mac and cheese's robust cheese flavors. The beer's malty undertones and carbonation help enhance the dish's creamy texture and provide a satisfying dining experience.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light arugula or mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to counterbalance the mac and cheese's richness. The salad's crisp, acidic elements will provide a refreshing contrast and add nutritional balance to the meal.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare roasted brussels sprouts or broccoli with garlic and olive oil to add a nutritious side that cuts through the dish's creaminess. These vegetables bring a slight char and earthy flavor that perfectly rounds out the mac and cheese experience.

Fun Changes for Baked Mac and Cheese

• Spicy Southwest Splash: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and swap some cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle smoked paprika into the breadcrumb topping for extra kick.
• Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped spinach. Replace breadcrumbs with toasted pine nuts for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Veggie Power Pack: Blend roasted butternut squash into the cheese sauce for added nutrition. Fold in sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, and caramelized onions before baking.
• Protein Punch: Stir in crispy bacon bits, shredded rotisserie chicken, or diced ham. Top with additional crispy bacon crumbles for extra protein and crunch.

Answers to Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Questions

• Why do I need to make a roux for mac and cheese?

The roux (butter and flour mixture) helps create a thick, smooth sauce that prevents lumps and gives the cheese sauce its creamy, rich texture without being watery.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like Gouda, Monterey Jack, or fontina to create your own unique flavor profile.

• How can I make my mac and cheese extra crispy?

The breadcrumb topping is key to achieving a crunchy exterior. Mixing the breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan creates a golden, crisp layer that adds wonderful texture to the creamy mac and cheese.

• Is Dijon mustard necessary in the recipe?

The Dijon mustard isn’t mandatory, but it adds a subtle tangy depth that enhances the overall flavor of the cheese sauce. If you don’t like mustard, you can skip it without affecting the recipe’s success.

Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Comfort meets culinary magic in this spectacular mac and cheese, promising a cheesy embrace that melts hearts faster than its golden crust. Perfectly balanced flavors and rich, velvety texture invite you to savor each delightful forkful of pure, irresistible warmth.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni
• 3 cups (300 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella or Gruyere cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs or panko
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta in a generously salted boiling water, cooking until tender yet firm. Drain thoroughly and set aside, allowing excess moisture to evaporate.
2. Create a smooth foundation by melting butter in a spacious saucepan over medium warmth. Incorporate flour, whisking vigorously to develop a silky, pale roux without browning.
3. Introduce milk gradually, maintaining constant motion to prevent clumping. Simmer and stir until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, thickened consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
4. Reduce heat and infuse the sauce with robust seasonings – Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in cheese varieties methodically, allowing each to melt into a velvety, harmonious blend.
5. Gently combine sauce with pasta, ensuring every curved noodle receives an even, creamy embrace. Transfer the mixture into a buttered baking vessel, spreading uniformly.
6. Craft a crisp topping by combining breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan, sprinkling the golden mixture across the surface to create a textural contrast.
7. Slide the dish into a preheated 375F oven, baking until the top transforms into a golden-brown crust and the interior bubbles with tempting excitement.
8. Allow the mac and cheese to rest momentarily after removing from the oven, letting the flavors settle and sauce stabilize. Optional: enhance with a quick broil for extra crispness.
9. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch and aromatic finish.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality cheeses like sharp cheddar or aged Gruyere to enhance the depth of flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
• Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it just shy of al dente, as it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce and during baking.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend and using gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping.
• Boost protein content by mixing in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed vegetables like broccoli or spinach for added nutrition and texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg