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Enjoy ultimate comfort with this creamy, oven-baked Mac and Cheese made from simple ingredients the whole family will love.
This baked macaroni combines multiple cheeses with a well-balanced seasoning mix to build a depth of flavor you can only get from homemade mac and cheese. It’s a perfect casserole to serve at holidays or any family dinner.
Ingredients for Baked Mac and Cheese:
- Pasta: 1 lb corkscrew pasta or elbow macaroni
- Cheese: shredded mozzarella, shredded Colby Jack, and shredded cheddar
- Seasoning: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
- Butter: unsalted butter
- Thickening agent: all-purpose flour for the roux
- Liquid: evaporated milk and heavy cream for a silky sauce
How to make Baked Mac and Cheese:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.
In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, melt the butter over medium heat. Add about half of the seasoning mix and stir.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly whisk in the evaporated milk until smooth, then whisk in the heavy cream. Add the remaining seasonings and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove the sauce from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheeses, whisking until melted and smooth.
Toss the drained pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread half of the macaroni mixture into the dish, sprinkle half of the remaining cheese over it, then add the rest of the macaroni and top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for about 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How to store leftover mac and cheese:
Fridge: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Tips and tricks for this delicious baked mac and cheese:
Avoiding a stringy cheese sauce
Grate your own cheese from blocks for the creamiest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth melt, which can lead to a stringy or separated sauce.
Cheese options
The recipe uses mozzarella, Colby Jack, and cheddar for a balanced flavor and texture. Other good options include:
- Cream cheese for extra creaminess
- Pepper Jack for a spicy kick
- White cheddar for a sharp, classic flavor
Crispy topping option
For a crunchy top, mix 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle over the macaroni before baking for a golden, crispy crust.
More casserole recipes:
- Easy Tater Tot Casserole
- Hamburger Rice Casserole
- Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb corkscrew pasta (or elbow macaroni)
- 1 lb shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb shredded Colby Jack cheese
- ½ lb shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.
- In the pasta pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in half the seasonings, then add the flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in evaporated milk, then heavy cream. Add remaining seasonings and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and whisk in half of the shredded cheeses until smooth, then stir in the pasta to coat.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer half the pasta in the dish, sprinkle half the remaining cheese, add the rest of the pasta, and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 54 g |
Protein: 45 g |
Fat: 65 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Quick links for making dinner easy:
- Family meal plans
- Tools for the kitchen and more
- The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
- Free budget meal plan
- Cooking videos to watch
If you try this recipe, tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how it turned out!