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This easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is so creamy and cheesy. Plus, the delicious bread crumb topping makes this Southern mac and cheese simply amazing. This is the perfect side to any meal you serve, rather it is for a holiday dinner or weeknight meal.
This baked mac and cheese recipe does not disappoint. I love mac and cheese and happen to think every meal is better with it. This Easy Side Dish complete any meal with its creamy and cheesy texture. We love to serve it with Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe.
This baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. If you love this recipe, then you need to make Tiktok Mac and Cheese, Taco Mac and Cheese or White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
Table of Contents
Can I Make this Recipe on the Stove Top?
If you would prefer to make this on your stove top, you can! We have a stove top version if you want to try this easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe.
You will cook your pasta according to package and then add the remaining of the ingredients. Occasionally we will do this option if my oven is full of with baking items. Either way, it is very tasty.
Ingredients
For the Mac & Cheese
- Elbow Pasta
- Unsalted Butter
- All Purpose Flour
- Milk
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Cream Cheese, softened at room temperature
- Salt
- Black Pepper
For the Bread Crumb Topping
- Planko Bread Crumbs – Or Ritz Crackers
- Butter, melted
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic Salt
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Cheese Sauce – You can try other types of cheese. Try mozzarella, Colby jack, gruyere, mild cheddar, pepper jack, Fontina or anything you prefer. If you can, shred your own cheese. It is so much better for you and taste better than the pre-shredded cheese.
- Breadcrumbs – The panko topping is amazing but if you are out, try using crackers. We have used crushed Ritz and it turned out fabulous.
- Pasta – Use any type of noodles you have on hand. Penne, bowtie or any type will work.
- Veggies – Puree cauliflower to sneak into the sauce if you want to get some veggies in.
- Add Meat – Toss in leftover Rotisserie chicken or even tuna to make this like a casserole.
- Seasoning – You can also add in some onion powder to the mix. Garlic powder will also work and for a little kick of flavor, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into the roux.
- Bacon – Sprinkle some bacon on top. If we have some bacon cooked, we like to crumble it up and put it on top or even mix in before baking.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1 – First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Step 2 – Spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3 – Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the elbow pasta al dente which is about 1 minute less than the time listed on the package. Drain and rinse with cool water.
Step 4 – Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 1 minute.
Step 5 – Then gradually whisk in the milk and heavy whipping cream. Whisk until smooth. Continue to cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture has thickened (2-4 minutes).
Step 6 – Remove the pan from the heat. Then stir in the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until all these ingredients are combined and cheese has melted.
Step 7 – Then stir in the pasta until the pasta is completely covered in the cheese mixture.
Step 8 – Mix the bread crumb topping ingredients together in a small ball.
Step 9 – Place the pasta in the prepared baking dish.
Step 10 – Then top with the bread crumb mixture and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese on the top has melted and is slightly golden. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Cook Pasta – Make sure to cook the pasta less than you normally would. The pasta will continue to cook while baking.
- Casserole Dish – Prepare the casserole dish before pouring in the homemade mac and cheese. We recommend spraying with cooking spray to easily serve and making cleanup a breeze.
- Combining the Ingredients – Make sure to continue to stir while pouring in the milk to avoid lumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store this baked macaroni and cheese recipe leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. We think it taste even better the next day.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or back in the oven. Depending on how much you have leftover. Make sure to not over heat so the noodles do not get mushy.
Yes, you can freeze mac n cheese in a freezer safe container. We like to freeze after assembling the mac and cheese before baking. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for about 3 months.
Mac and cheese pairs well with many main dish recipes. We love to serve with meatloaf, chicken and steak. See What to serve with Mac and Cheese for even more ideas.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Baked Potatoes in the Microwave – Easy to make!
- Foil Pack Grilled Potatoes
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheesy potato casserole
- 55 Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
- Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Potatoes Recipe
We love hearing from you. If you make this Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- For the Mac & Cheese:
- 1 lb. Elbow Pasta
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 cups Milk
- 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 4 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- For the Bread Crumb Topping:
- 1 1/2 cup Planko Bread Crumbs
- 4 Tbsp Butter melted
- 1/2 Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Garlic Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the elbow pasta 1 minute less than the time listed on the package. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 1 minute. Then gradually whisk in the milk and heavy whipping cream. Continue to whisk as you slowly pour these in. Continue to heat over medium heat, whisking consistently until the mixture has thickened (2-4 minutes).
- Remove the pan from the heat. Then stir in the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until all these ingredients are combined and cheese has melted.
- Then stir in the pasta until the pasta is completely covered in the cheese mixture.
- Mix the bread crumb topping ingredients together in a small ball.
- Place the pasta in the baking pan, top with the bread crumb mixture and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until the cheese on the top has melted and is slightly golden.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Fantastic! My family loved it. Made exactly as you have except, I used a casserole dish. Thank you, it’s a keeper.
I’ve never reviewed any recipe I’ve made. But I wanted others to know how good this Mac n cheese is! My family loved it! It turned out creamy and delicious. Our new favorite! I used 2 cups of Vermont White Cheddar, 1 cup of Colby, 1 cup of Monterey Jack. I think the cream cheese is a game changer!
It’s 1/2 cup of butter for the Mac and Cheese and 4 Tbsp Butter for the Topping. The ingredients are listed in 2 separate sections in the recipe card.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious & easy ingredients!! It was a hit with my whole family! Thank you so much for sharing ?
How much butter for the bread crumb toppings and how much for the Mac n cheese? Just says a 1/² cup in the list but no amounts for each.
I use 4 cups of cheddar cheese for this recipe.
Is it 2 cups of Cheddar Cheese or 4 cups? The list says 4 but the recipe says 2.
We love this for the holidays!
Made this for Christmas dinner. It was DELICIOUS!