The Golden, Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Adore

Crafting the most delectable creamy baked mac and cheese recipe demands passion and a few culinary secrets.

Cheesy comfort arrives with unexpected depth and richness that surprises even seasoned home cooks.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of a perfectly crisp golden top melding with smooth, velvety sauce underneath.

Every forkful promises a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Sharp cheddar and subtle hints of seasoning create a harmonious blend promising pure satisfaction.

Comfort emerges through carefully selected ingredients and precise technique.

You’ll want to savor each incredible bite of this irresistible dish that transforms ordinary macaroni into something extraordinary.

Baked Mac and Cheese That’s Ultra Creamy and Cheesy

• Elevate Comfort Food Game: Transform ordinary mac and cheese into a gourmet experience with rich, complex flavors that elevate this classic dish beyond simple boxed versions.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner: Prepare this recipe in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious, satisfying meal without complicated cooking techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: Impress guests with a restaurant-quality mac and cheese that's sure to be the star of potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinner parties with its crispy breadcrumb topping and creamy cheese blend.
• Customizable Comfort Classic: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping cheeses, adding proteins like bacon or chicken, or incorporating vegetables to create a personalized version that suits individual tastes and dietary preferences.

Everything You Need for Creamy Mac and Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce, choose high-quality pasta for best texture.

• Butter, Milk, Heavy Cream: Rich base for creating smooth and velvety sauce, whole milk provides better flavor and richness.
• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Blend of cheeses for complex, sharp, and creamy flavor profile, use freshly grated cheese for best melting.

• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth to cheese sauce, provides subtle background complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Provides mild garlic flavor without raw garlic intensity.
• Smoked Paprika: Offers smoky undertone and warm color, enhances overall dish complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and bringing out other flavors.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides crispy, crunchy texture to mac and cheese surface, Japanese-style breadcrumbs offer superior crispness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds extra cheese flavor to breadcrumb topping, use freshly grated for best results.

Baked Mac & Cheese Creamy Prep

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep Pasta

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F.

Boil water and cook your pasta until it’s tender but not mushy.

Drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for cheesy magic.

Step 2: Craft a Silky Cheese Base

In a roomy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Sprinkle in flour and whisk until it turns a soft golden color.

Slowly pour in milk and cream, stirring constantly to create a smooth, velvety mixture.

Let it simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Take the pan off the heat and blend in a trio of cheeses until they melt into a dreamy sauce.

Step 4: Unite Pasta and Cheese Sauce

Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle gets a luxurious cheese coating.

Step 5: Create a Crunchy Topping

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Melted butter
• Parmesan cheese
• Smoked paprika

Step 6: Assemble and Prepare for Baking

Transfer the cheesy pasta to a greased baking dish.

Sprinkle the crispy breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown top and bubbling edges.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Let the mac and cheese cool briefly, then dive into this comfort food masterpiece.

Pure deliciousness awaits!

Baked Mac and Cheese Tips for Creamy Results

• Select elbow macaroni or short pasta shapes that hold the creamy sauce well, ensuring each bite is packed with cheesy goodness.
• Cook pasta just until tender to prevent mushy texture, as it will continue cooking in the oven while baking with the cheese sauce.
• Gradually add cheese to the warm (not boiling) sauce and stir consistently to create a smooth, creamy consistency without graininess.
• Experiment with breadcrumb mix by adding herbs like thyme or crushed crackers for extra crunch and flavor complexity.
• Grate cheese freshly and add off direct heat to maintain optimal melting and prevent oil separation in the sauce.

Baked Mac and Cheese Storage

• Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Package cooled mac and cheese in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place mac and cheese in a baking dish, add a splash of milk to restore creaminess, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Sprinkle a little milk over the mac and cheese, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Comfort Food Combos for Baked Mac and Cheese

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a bright, acidic Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to cut through the richness of the creamy mac and cheese, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Complement with Green Salad: Create a light mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette dressing to balance the heavy, cheesy pasta and provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the dish's creamy texture.
• Match with Crispy Protein Side: Serve alongside herb-roasted chicken tenders or crispy bacon bits to add a protein element and provide a savory, crunchy counterpoint to the smooth mac and cheese.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetables: Add quick-pickled cucumber or jalapeño slices to introduce a zesty, acidic element that will brighten the dish and cut through its rich, cheesy profile.

Baked Mac and Cheese Creamy Styles

• Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch, and use gluten-free pasta. Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers.
• Vegan Cheese Alternative: Substitute dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese alternatives. Use olive oil instead of butter and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Protein-Packed Version: Mix in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced ham. Add roasted vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower to increase nutritional value and create a heartier meal.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace pasta with riced cauliflower or cauliflower florets. Use heavy cream instead of milk and focus on high-fat cheese varieties to maintain creamy texture.

FAQs

• Why use multiple types of cheese?

Different cheeses provide complex flavor layers. Cheddar offers sharpness, mozzarella adds creaminess, and Parmesan brings a nutty depth that makes the mac and cheese more sophisticated and delicious.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. The rest of the recipe remains the same, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this comfort dish.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Gradually add cheese off the heat and stir continuously. This technique helps cheese melt smoothly without separating, creating a silky, creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.

• What gives this mac and cheese its rich flavor?

The combination of Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and garlic powder adds depth and complexity. These seasonings elevate the traditional mac and cheese from basic to gourmet, creating a more interesting taste profile.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting mac and cheese delivers pure cheesy bliss with layers of rich, melted cheddar and smooth cream sauce. Classic American comfort food promises delightful indulgence for hungry souls craving ultimate pasta satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins and Dairy:

• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups whole milk

Pasta and Base:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Topping:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a spacious baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
2. Cook the macaroni in generously salted boiling water until tender yet firm, typically 7-8 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Create a velvety roux by melting butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then whisk in flour until the mixture turns a delicate golden hue and releases a nutty aroma.
4. Slowly stream in milk and cream, continuously whisking to prevent any lumps from forming, and simmer until the sauce reaches a luxurious, silky consistency.
5. Infuse the sauce with depth by incorporating Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring until well combined.
6. Remove the sauce from heat and gradually fold in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, creating a smooth, glossy mixture that coats the back of a spoon.
7. Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is lavishly enrobed.
8. Prepare the crispy topping by combining panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, grated Parmesan, and a whisper of smoked paprika.
9. Transfer the mac and cheese to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly, then generously sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumb mixture across the surface.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top turns a golden-brown and the edges bubble enticingly.
11. Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps the sauce set and intensifies the flavors.

Notes

• Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness during baking, maintaining a perfect texture throughout the dish.
• Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting and flavor, avoiding pre-shredded options which contain anti-caking agents that can affect smoothness.
• Experiment with cheese combinations like gruyère or fontina for deeper, more complex flavor profiles while keeping the creamy consistency.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and using gluten-free breadcrumbs for topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 589
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 79 mg