The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (2024)

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Diana Rattray

The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (1)

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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Updated on 11/26/21

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Colleen Graham

The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (2)

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

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The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (3)

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Total: 45 mins

Servings: 4 servings

Yield: 1 (1 1/2-quart) casserole

38 ratings

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Every cook needs a foundational macaroni and cheese recipe, and this one won't disappoint. The cheese sauce is made with milk and half-and-half, giving the dish rich flavor and texture. This recipe calls for sprinkling additional cheese over the top before it's baked, which adds to the cheesy goodness. It's ready in just over 30 minutes and can quickly become a go-to mac and cheese recipe.

As quintessential comfort food, there are many things you can do to switch up this basic mac and cheese and turn it into a complete meal or decadent side dish. For instance, you can add breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping, mix in bacon, ham, or cooked ground beef or pork. For special occasions, you can also transform it into a delicious lobster mac and cheese.

"A quick dish, this recipe makes fantastic mac and cheese. The homemade cheese sauce is easy to make and outshines any boxed mac. While it’s delicious as is, the casserole is a great foundation for random ingredient additions so you can customize it to your family’s taste or what you have on hand." —Colleen Graham

The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (4)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) elbow macaroni

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup whole milk

  • 1 cup half-and-half

  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

  • 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (5)

  2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Fill a pasta pot with cold water and set on a burner over medium-high heat. Butter a 1 1/2-quart or 8 x 8-inch square baking dish.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (6)

  3. When the pasta water comes to a boil, salt the water, stir and taste. It should taste like the sea. Under-salted? Add more. Over-salted? Pour out some water and add fresh water until you get the right balance.

    Pour pasta into boiling salted water gradually while stirring the water. When the water returns to a boil, begin the cooking time as directed by the packaging for al dente doneness; drain the pasta and reserve the pot.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (7)

  4. Meanwhile, just before adding the pasta to the water, start the cheese sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and wait until the bubbles subside. Whisk in flour, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (8)

  5. Gradually add the milk and then the half-and-half. Continue cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, whisking constantly.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (9)

  6. Remove from the heat and add paprika, black pepper, and 2 cups of the cheese; stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (10)

  7. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, adding salt, as needed.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (11)

  8. Add cooked pasta back into its pot and immediately add the sauce to it. Stir to combine and transfer to theprepared casserole dish.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (12)

  9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.Cut the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into small pieces and dot the pieces over the casserole.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (13)

  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling. For a more crispy top, set oven to broil and watch for desired doneness. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

    The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (14)

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Tip

Cooking is all about timing. For this mac and cheese recipe, you want to make sure the pasta and the sauce come together when both are hot. This means dropping the pasta in the boiling water only when you know it will come out as soon as the sauce is complete.

Recipe Variations

  • Add a breadcrumb topping: Omit the extra 1/2 cup of cheese in this recipe and toss one cup of fine soft breadcrumbs with two tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the casserole before it goes into the oven.
  • To make a mac-n-cheese with bacon, stir about 1/4 cup of diced cooked bacon into the sauce along with the cheese and macaroni.
  • For a main dish option, add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cooked diced ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture.Or brown about 1/2 pound of ground beef or pork sausage along with 1/2 cup of chopped onion. Drain thoroughly and add to the sauce.
  • For some Tex-Mex color and flavor, add about 1/4 cup of sliced ripe olives, a small can of chopped mild green chile peppers, and 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper. Use part or all pepper jack cheese in place of the cheddar. Make it a little spicier with some finely chopped jalapeno pepper.
  • For a simple change of texture and appearance, replace the elbow macaroni with mini penne or small or medium shell pasta.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Leftover mac and cheese can be refrigerated in a sealed container for two to three days, though it will be a little drier. Reheat it gently in the oven (about 10 to 15 minutes at 350 F); let the dish come to room temperature before placing it in a hot oven and cover the dish to retain some moisture. Smaller portions can also be microwaved until warm; check it regularly and stir if needed.
  • Mac and cheese also freezes well. Put any leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe containerand freeze for up to three months.

Should You Cover Mac and Cheese When Baking?

It's not necessary to cover mac and cheese while baking it in the oven. Keeping the dish uncovered produces a crustier top that differentiates the baked dish from stovetop mac and cheese recipes that simply stir together cheese sauce with pasta. This extra crunchiness gives it more of a casserole taste.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
457Calories
33g Fat
20g Carbs
20g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories457
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g42%
Saturated Fat 19g94%
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 627mg27%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 529mg41%
Iron 1mg6%
Potassium 118mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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The Only Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe You Will Ever Need (2024)

FAQs

What is in Gordon Ramsay mac and cheese? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 lb small elbow pasta.
  2. 4 cups whole milk.
  3. 8 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  4. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  6. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  7. 2 cups bacon bits.
  8. ½ cup bread crumbs, toasted.
May 4, 2023

What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Is baked mac and cheese a black thing? ›

For many Black Americans, a hot, baked dish of mac and cheese represents celebration and togetherness. It is brought out on holidays and during celebrations. As a soul food staple, mac and cheese recipes are often passed down through generations and are an integral part of many family histories.

Which celebrity chef makes the best mac and cheese? ›

The Very Best Macaroni and Cheese: Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

There are a few different ways to keep your macaroni and cheese moist, from adding a solid layer of shredded cheese on top to holding back on the cream when making your sauce.

How do you add depth of flavor to mac and cheese? ›

Browned butter is the secret ingredient to multi-dimensional flavor in both baked goods and savory dishes. It adds richness and depth of flavor to boxed mac and cheese—and all it takes is a few extra minutes on the stovetop.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

What cheeses are not to use for mac and cheese? ›

I would avoid Swiss (greasy when melted), mozzarella (melts great but noticeably bland here), parm (doesn't blend well with this technique), pecorino (same problem), and all low-fat or part-skim cheeses, which will not turn into a sauce at all but a bunch of stringy sludge. Avoid at all costs.

What president made mac and cheese? ›

United States. James Hemings, a classically trained French chef enslaved by US president Thomas Jefferson, was instrumental in bringing the recipe to the United States after Jefferson encountered it in Paris. Jefferson drew a sketch of the pasta and wrote detailed notes on the extrusion process.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Use whole milk for the richest flavor and texture. Cheese: This baked mac and cheese recipe calls for Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Seasonings: Salt and pepper goes into the sauce, while paprika is sprinkled over the topping.

Should you cover mac and cheese when baking? ›

It's not necessary to cover mac and cheese while baking it in the oven. Keeping the dish uncovered produces a crustier top that differentiates the baked dish from stovetop mac and cheese recipes that simply stir together cheese sauce with pasta. This extra crunchiness gives it more of a casserole taste.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

What are the ingredients in Gordon's mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

What recipe did Gordon Ramsay make? ›

Gordon Ramsay's best recipes include Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Piccata, Rack of Lamb, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill, Shrimp Scampi, Beef and Guinness Stew, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Beef Burgundy.

What is the MAC in mac and cheese made of? ›

Macaroni: This homemade mac and cheese starts with a box of uncooked macaroni noodles. Butter and flour: You'll need butter and flour to make a roux for the cheese sauce. You'll also need two tablespoons of butter for the topping. Milk: Use whole milk for the richest flavor and texture.

What is the thickening agent in mac and cheese? ›

Use cornstarch or all-purpose flour.

To make a cheese sauce, you usually make a béchamel sauce by first creating a roux of melted butter and flour, then adding a cup of milk. You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch.

References

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