Description
Looking for the best mac and cheese recipe? This baked version is quick easy and ultra creamy with gooey cheese and golden crust! Perfect for holidays, weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing potlucks. A classic comfort food everyone loves!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish.
- Cook macaroni until al dente then drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in saucepan and whisk in flour to form roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream until thickened.
- Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth. Add salt, pepper, mustard.
- Mix cheese sauce with cooked pasta and pour into baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt.
- Add bacon, jalapeños, or breadcrumbs for extra flair.
- To reheat, cover with foil and warm in oven or microwave.
- Broil last 2 minutes for crispier top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg