The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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By Kelly Dixon

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Published: Oct 19, 2021

Updated: Nov 22, 2023

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This Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is over the top! If you’re looking for a meal that’s sure to be a hit, look no further.This baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by both children and adults.Perfect for a comforting dinner or as a holiday side dish!

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2)

Macaroni and Cheese

We use a combination of cheeses, layered in the dish as well as melted into a rich and creamy cheese sauce, and I am really convinced this is the BEST macaroni and cheese recipe out there!

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The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (3)

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

  • Elbow macaroni
  • Salt
  • Butter, cubed
  • Half-and-Half
  • Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • Muenster cheese, shredded
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • Eggs, lightly whisked
  • Seasoning salt
  • Black pepper
The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (4)

Oozing with FIVE different kinds of cheese, we just love comfort food! Mac and cheese is the quintessential comfort food. How can you go wrong with pasta and cheese?

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (5)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, including 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water for flavor.Drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add the cubed butter to the pot and stir until almost melted.

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (6)

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Add the remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup of mixed cheese for the topping, and stir well.Pour the pot contents into a 9×13 baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.Bake for 30 minutes until edges become golden brown and bubbly.

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (7)

More Cooking Options

  • Bacon– if you love bacon, feel free to add some crispy, crumbled bacon to the topping.
  • Panko– Consider adding 1 cup of panko with 2 Tbsp of melted butter and using that as a topping. 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers with 2 Tbsp of butter is also delicious!
  • Different Baking Times– Bake this macaroni and cheese at 350 F degrees for 30 minutes, then as an option, broil for 2-3 minutes to get that gorgeous cheesy “crust”.
The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (8)

Creamy but not saturated like a pan mac and cheese, this recipe is, in my humble opinion, the perfect macaroni and cheese. Bring it to a potluck, add it as a dinner side, and always remember to whip it up on Thanksgiving and Christmas!

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (9)

More Easy Recipes

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Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This baked macaroni and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by both children and adults.Perfect for a comforting dinner or as a holiday side dish!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 people

Equipment

  • 9×13 casserole pan

  • Cheese grater

  • Pasta pot

  • Colander

  • Wooden spoon / Mixing spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoon butter, cubed
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup shredded muenster cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • 2 eggs, lightly whisked
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions, including 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water for flavor.

  • Drain the pasta and return to pot. Add the cubed butter to the pot and stir until almost melted.

  • Add the remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup of mixed cheese for the topping, and stir well.

  • Pour the pot contents into a 9×13 baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.

  • Bake for 30 minutes until edges become golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

Helpful Tips:

  • Like a crunch on your mac and cheese? Top with bacon, buttered breadcrumbs, crumbled crackers, or panko before baking.
  • Pro Tip: for the perfect ooey-gooey melted mac and cheese, shred your own cheese from blocks. Pre-shredded cheese from the store does not melt the same.
  • Broil for 2-3 minutes to get that gorgeous cheesy “crust”.

Additional Info

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (15)

The Blogette is a comfort food website designed to inspire you with easy recipes that are classic, simple, and delicious whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends!

Read more about me

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12 Comments

  1. To die for Mac and cheese! Thanks!

    Reply

  2. can you do this in a crockpot?

    Reply

  3. love the dish want more tu

    Reply

  4. May be a dumb question but. . . For the 1/2 cups of cheese are you using 2 ounces of cheese and shredding it or do you just fill a a 1/2 cup measuring and fill it with shredded cheese?

    Reply

    1. Not a dumb question! Measure the cheese that is already shredded. So, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Hope that helps!

      Reply

      1. Thanks! This recipe sounds fabulous! Having a family of Mac n cheese fanatics, I know this will be the new fav! On the menu for Sunday dinner.

        Reply

  5. Fabulous! New family favorite Mac n cheese! Put a panko/Parmesan topping on.

    Reply

  6. Is the egg absolutely necessary? We have an egg allergy in the family. Is there something else we could do instead or just leave it out?

    Reply

  7. You will be the hit of the carry-in if you take this recipe to your next event. Guaranteed that everyone will want the recipe and you can just throw away the pan cause there will be no leftovers‼️‼️

    Reply

  8. Can I make this earlier in the day and then bake later? Or do you think the noodles would be too soggy?

    Reply

The ULTIMATE Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Why isn t my baked mac and cheese creamy? ›

How do You Keep Macaroni and Cheese Creamy? Don't skimp on the milk or butter as those ingredients help keep the cooked macaroni ultra-rich and creamy. Use full-fat milk for creamiest results. Also, avoid overbaking, as that will dry out your mac and cheese.

What to add to mac and cheese to make it 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

How to make Gordon Ramsay's baked 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 3 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 use evaporated milk in mac n cheese? ›

Similar recipes call for cooking pasta in milk, which can scorch. Cooking in water and adding evaporated milk toward the end fixes this problem. Evaporated milk contains protein micelles, which help keep an emulsified sauce smooth and creamy.

Is evaporated milk better than milk for mac and cheese? ›

It will be richer and creamier. It's actually a very good substitute for regular milk. I've often used evaporated milk in mac&cheese which makes it better than milk. Both heavy cream and evaporated milk are much better in mashed potatoes, too!

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese.
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt.
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. There's a reason why elbow macaroni is the classic shape for macaroni and cheese. ...
  4. Overcooking. No one wants grainy cheese sauce and mushy pasta. ...
  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.

How to give homemade mac and cheese more flavor? ›

Black Pepper: Always a must! Nutmeg: This is also optional but trust me, a dash of it goes a long way to balance the tangy cheese flavor and all the fats. Cayenne Powder: A little sprinkle makes all the difference. It does not make this spicy – it just balances the flavors.

Why is my mac and cheese so dry after baking? ›

Reheating. Reheat macaroni and cheese in an oven-safe baking dish covered with foil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, depending on the size of the portion you are reheating. If the macaroni and cheese seems dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk.

Why add flour to baked mac and cheese? ›

Both the flour and the cheese help thicken the sauce.

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.

What are the ingredients in Gordon Food Service 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 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.

What are the top 7 cheeses to use in mac and cheese? ›

7 Best Cheeses for Macaroni and Cheese
  • Cheddar. Cheddar is a staple for countless recipes. ...
  • Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. ...
  • Gruyere. Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Smoked Gouda. ...
  • Monterey Jack. ...
  • Fontina. ...
  • Sausage Mac and Cheese.

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