Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Thisis the BEST baked macaroni and cheese recipe! Once you’ve made it, you will never use another recipe. Promise!

Evan constantly asks me to make him mac & cheese with the caveat “The one NOT from a box!” I experimented with several recipes but had trouble finding one we loved. After trying out the standard, normal, non-weird, kid friendly mac & cheese recipe from The Mac + Cheese Cookbook by Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade, we had a clear winner.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1)

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Oh my goodness….this recipe is DECADENT and delicious. So much so, that it is my go-to recipe whenever we have company.

In fact, it’s become a dish I am known for. If you visit on a weekend, you will probably get served this mac and cheese with my favourite Crock Pot BBQ Ribs recipe, Brown Sugar & co*ke Glazed Ham or Traeger Smoked Pork Chops. Yum!

Looking for other must try side dishes? May I suggest, Honey Harissa Roasted Carrots, Turnip Puff and Snap Peas and Mushrooms in Black Bean Sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups whole, hom*o milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 3/4 pound dry macaroni, ~375 grams
  • 2 1/4 cups grated old cheddar, one entire 200 g pkg
  • 3/4 cups Pecorino cheese, similar to parmesan, grated
  • 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.

Put a large pot of salted water on to boil for the macaroni.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2)

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk until just bubbling. Remove from heat.

In a separate, heavy bottomed, medium to large saucepan, melt the butter.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (3)

Once the butter is just melted, sprinkle the flour on to the butter.

Whisk the butter and flour together and cook until light brown (about 3 – 5 minutes). Remove from heat.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (4)

Add the milk to the butter/flour mixture a cup at a time. When you add the first cup it will immediately become thick and clumpy…DON’T PANIC!

Continue to add the milk to the flour mixture while stirring. The clumps should melt away.

Once everything is mixed together, place pan on medium high heat and cook for 3 – 5 minutes until the sauce looks smooth and silky and when a spoon dipped in to the sauce sticks to the spoon instead of sliding off.

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Add seasoning salt and dried mustard to the sauce and stir.

Add dry macaroni to the boiling water and cook until just slightly less done than al dente.

If your sauce pan is large enough to hold sauce and mac, add cheeses to the sauce and heat until melted. If not, pour sauce in a larger pan, add cheese and heat until melted.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (6)

Drain macaroni and rinse it with cold water, draining again.

Add cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the noodles are completely covered.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (7)

Pour mac and cheese into prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the panko bread crumbs.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (8)

Bake in preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes or until the panko crumbs are lightly browned.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (9)

Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (10)

Yield: 12

Super Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

The BEST baked macaroni and cheese recipe you will ever make. Once you try it, you will never use another recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole, hom*o milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 3/4 pound dry macaroni, ~375 grams
  • 2 1/4 cups grated old cheddar, one entire 200 g pkg
  • 3/4 cups Pecorino cheese, similar to parmesan, grated
  • 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
  3. Put a large pot of salted water on to boil for the macaroni.
  4. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk until just bubbling. Remove from heat.
  5. In a separate, heavy bottomed, medium to large saucepan, melt the butter.
  6. Once the butter is just melted, sprinkle the flour on to the butter.
  7. Whisk the butter and flour together and cook until light brown (about 3 - 5 minutes). Remove from heat.
  8. Add the milk to the butter/flour mixture a cup at a time. When you add the first cup it will immediately become thick and clumpy...DON'T PANIC!
  9. Continue to add the milk to the flour mixture while stirring. The clumps should melt away.
  10. Once everything is mixed together, place pan on medium high heat and cook for 3 - 5 minutes until the sauce looks smooth and silky and when a spoon dipped in to the sauce sticks to the spoon instead of sliding off.
  11. Add seasoning salt and dried mustard to the sauce and stir.
  12. Add dry macaroni to the boiling water and cook until just slightly less done than al dente.
  13. If your sauce pan is large enough to hold sauce and mac, add cheeses to the sauce and heat until melted. If not, pour sauce in a larger pan, add cheese and heat until melted.
  14. Drain macaroni and rinse it with cold water, draining again.
  15. Add cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the noodles are completely covered.
  16. Pour mac and cheese into prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the panko bread crumbs.
  17. Bake in preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until the panko crumbs are lightly browned.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 398Saturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 275mgSodium: 574mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 19g

You will not regret making this baked macaroni and cheese recipe for family and friends as often as possible!

Love this recipe and want more yummy side dishes? Check these out!

Perfect Side Dishes for Company!

When you have company coming, break out these delicious side dishes for your table!

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (11)

Turnip Puff

Who knew that turnips could be delicious? Turnip Puff is the only turnip recipe you will ever need. Even turnip haters love it!

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (12)

The BEST baked macaroni and cheese recipe you will ever make. Once you try it, you will never use another recipe.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (13)

Sweet and Savoury Holiday Spaghetti Squash

Check out this Sweet and Savoury Holiday Spaghetti Squash recipe! It's easy, delicious, lactose free and vegan friendly!

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (14)

Brown Sugar and Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

A Southern favourite. We have this every Thanksgiving!

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (15)

Southern Cornbread Dressing

Cornbread Stuffing is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any turkey dinner.

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Carrot Raisin Salad with Apples

Carrot Raisin Salad with Apples is a Southern side dish favourite.

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (17)

Garlicky Caesar Salad Dressing

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Don’t forget to pin for later!

Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (18)
Super Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep macaroni and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

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.

Why is my mac and cheese never creamy? ›

Cook your noodles in milk instead of water

Cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes your resulting mac and cheese creamier. According to The Kitchn, cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes the sauce creamy before you even add the cheese sauce.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

The Best Types of Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar. The king of all cheeses when it comes to coating your noodles. ...
  • Gouda. Gouda is a seriously underrated cheese when it comes to cooking! ...
  • Gruyère. Despite it being a hard cheese, Gruyère still melts nicely. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Goat Cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Anything pre-shredded.
Mar 14, 2023

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

Why do people put mayo in mac and cheese? ›

The reason mac and cheese with mayo works is because the acid in mayo prevents the dish from ever being too cheesy. Yes, “too cheesy” is a thing, hear us out. Every time you take a bite of your steaming hot mac and cheese, you want to enjoy the delicate mix of flavors.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

What's the difference between mac and cheese and macaroni cheese? ›

Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom) is a dish of macaroni and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its origins trace back to cheese and pasta casseroles dating to the 14th century in Italy and medieval England.

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

Feta, queso fresco and paneer

As delicious as feta is in a salad or sprinkled over soup, this dry and crumbly cheese just isn't ideal for mac and cheese. Feta has a high moisture level and doesn't melt properly, so it would clump rather than give you a smooth sauce.

What two cheeses go well together for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes.

Why add cream cheese to mac and cheese? ›

While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

How to keep mac and cheese creamy after cooking? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix to incorprate as much as possible. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream.

How to keep mac and cheese creamy the next day? ›

Put a portion of the mac and cheese on a microwave-safe dish or plate. Add a tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix well. Reheat the mac and cheese for 15 seconds at a time, making sure to stir it well.

How do you keep creamy pasta from drying out? ›

If you're worried about your leftovers being too dry, you can add an extra dollop of pasta sauce or even a few drops of water to the baking dish. This will revamp your leftovers and keep the taste and texture the same as the first time you enjoyed the meal.

References

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