How To Make The Creamiest Baked Mac And Cheese
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Learn the secret to making the creamiest baked mac and cheese with this simple recipe. This easy macaroni and cheese dish is the perfect comfort food regular weeknights or for any special occasion.
Ingredients for Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Elbow Macaroni or Medium Shell Pasta
- Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Butter or Margarine
- All Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Milk
How to make baked macaroni and cheese?
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 1 1/2 or 2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta as directed on the package instructions. Cook to al dente. Drain well.
- In the prepared baking dish, alternate cooked, drained pasta with half of the shredded cheese.
- Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet over low heat.
- Add flour, and stir until lightly browned.
- To the flour, slowly add milk, whisking constantly.
- Let the mixture come to a low boil for one minute while stirring.
- Mix in salt and pepper.
- Add remaining cheese, and stir until melted into the sauce.
- Pour sauce over the cooked pasta and cheese mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 – 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 – 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Storage Instructions
Let leftovers cool. Either cover tightly with aluminum foil or with a tight fitting lid or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for the homemade baked macaroni and cheese, scroll the the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Recipe FAQs
- Use your favorite type of pasta. My Mom used medium shells, and it’s still my favorite way to eat it.
- Switch up the types of cheese (mozzarella cheese, gruyere cheese etc). My Mom always used up a little bit of this and a little bit of that to use up what was already in the fridge.
- I prefer to grate my own cheese; however, pre-shredded cheese works too.
- Baked uncovered.
- Top with buttered bread crumbs, if desired.
What is the trick to keeping mac and cheese creamy?
The secret for a creamy macaroni and cheese recipe is to make a roux with equal parts butter and flour, and then to slowly add milk until a creamy sauce forms. Add your cheese of choice to the roux until it’s melty and delicious. The roux sauce will coat the cooked pasta and lend the creamiest texture.
Should I put foil over my baked mac and cheese?
I do not recommend covering your baked mac and cheese recipe with foil. If the pasta has already been cooked, then you don’t want to overcook it in the oven. Leaving the aluminum foil off allows for the sauce to continue thickening and allows the top of mac and cheese to get golden brown.
Can baked mac and cheese be made ahead?
Yes, prep your baked mac and cheese up to the point of assembling your casserole. This includes cooking and draining the pasta, creating a roux and finishing your cheese sauce. Go ahead and assemble the mac and cheese in the prepared dish, and then cover tightly with foil and place in the refrigerator until right before serving.
When you’re ready to eat, finish the mac and cheese in the oven until hot and bubbly. It might take a few extra minutes of cook time since the dish is starting cold from the fridge.
What milk for baked mac and cheese?
The great news is that you can use whatever type of milk you have on hand. If your recipe calls for making a cheese sauce using a roux, then any type of milk will work. I often use skim milk or 1% milk. However, if you’re going for the ultimate decadence, use whole milk.
What noodles for baked mac and cheese?
Traditionally, elbow macaroni is used for baked mac and cheese; however, in my house, my Mom often used medium shells for her version, and this is my favorite. When using medium shell pasta, the cheese sauce gets baked into the inside of the shells for the perfect treat. In all honesty, you could make almost any shape of pasta such as penne or rotini work for baked mac and cheese.
The Best Side Dish Recipes
Side dishes really can make or break your meal…and sometimes they can be the MEAL! We love this Mushroom Risotto from Beyer Eats & Drinks and these Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes from Farmwife Cooks. We also added a few of our other favorite side dish recipes from our site below.
Old Fashioned Asparagus Casserole
Kitchen Tools Needed for this Recipe
How To Make The Creamiest Baked Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni or Medium Shell Pasta
- 2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 cup Butter or Margarine
- 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 cups Milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 1 1/2 or 2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta as directed on the package instructions. Cook to al dente. Drain well.
- In the prepared baking dish, alternate cooked and drained pasta with half of the shredded cheese.
- Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet over low heat.
- Add flour, and stir until lightly browned.
- To the flour, slowly add milk, whisking constantly.
- Let the mixture come to a low boil for one minute while stirring. Mix in salt and pepper.
- Add remaining cheese, and stir until melted into the sauce.
- Pour sauce over the cooked pasta and cheese mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 – 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 – 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Notes
-
- Use your favorite type of pasta. My Mom used medium shells, and it’s still my favorite way to eat it.
- Switch up the types of cheese. My Mom always used up a little bit of this and a little bit of that to use up what was already in the fridge.
- I prefer to grate my own cheese; however, pre-shredded cheese works too.
- Baked uncovered.
- Top with buttered breadcrumbs, if desired.
Nutrition
