Baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and crowned with a golden, bubbly top. Whether you’re serving it as a holiday side dish or the main event at a cozy weeknight dinner, this classic dish always delivers. With layers of freshly shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, a luscious homemade béchamel sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it’s guaranteed to impress guests and satisfy picky eaters alike. Forget the boxed stuff—this is how real mac and cheese is meant to be enjoyed.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🧀 Rich and cheesy: Layers of melty cheese inside and on top.
- 🔥 Golden crust: That irresistible baked cheese topping.
- 🕒 Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for holidays and meal prep.
- 🧂 Customizable: Swap in bacon, breadcrumbs, or your favorite cheeses.
- 🍽️ Family favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2½ cups half and half
- 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
- ½ tbsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil pasta: Cook pasta 1 minute less than al dente. Drain and toss with a little oil.
- Shred cheese: Mix cheddar and Gruyère. Divide into three piles (3 cups for sauce, 1½ cups for layering, 1½ cups for topping).
- Make roux: Melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook for 1 minute.
- Add milk: Slowly whisk in half and half and milk until smooth. Cook until thick.
- Make cheese sauce: Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth.
- Combine: Mix pasta with cheese sauce. Pour half into baking dish, layer with 1½ cups cheese. Add remaining pasta, then top with last 1½ cups cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for a crispy top.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8–10
- Estimated Cost: $10–$14
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 650
- Carbs: 45g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 40g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Sugar: 4g
- Calcium: 35% DV
Values are estimates and may vary based on exact ingredients used.
Tips & Variations
- Cheese tips: Always shred cheese from a block for best melting.
- Bacon lover? Add crispy bacon to the filling or topping.
- Crunchy topping: Mix 1 cup panko with 2 tbsp melted butter for a golden crust.
- Extra creamy: Increase sauce quantities slightly if making ahead.
- Cheese swap ideas: Try Monterey Jack, gouda, mozzarella, or fontina.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- – 9×13” baking dish
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- – Cheese grater
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- – 1 lb elbow pasta
- – ½ cup unsalted butter
- – ½ cup all-purpose flour
- – 1½ cups whole milk
- – 2½ cups half and half
- – 4 cups shredded cheddar divided
- – 2 cups shredded Gruyère divided
- – ½ tbsp salt
- – ½ tsp pepper
- – ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9×13 dish.
- Boil pasta 1 min less than al dente. Drain.
- Shred cheese and divide: 3 cups for sauce, 1½ for layers, 1½ for topping.
- Make roux: melt butter, whisk in flour. Cook 1 min.
- Add dairy, whisk until thick.
- Off heat, stir in 3 cups cheese + seasonings.
- Combine pasta with sauce.
- Layer half pasta, 1½ cups cheese, rest of pasta, and top cheese.
- Bake 15–20 min, broil for 2–3 min if desired.
Notes
– Add breadcrumbs or bacon for a twist.
– Make ahead by assembling, refrigerating, and baking later.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Prepare and refrigerate up to 2 days ahead. Bake when ready, adding 10–15 minutes to the cook time.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Assemble, cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight before baking.
What’s half and half?
It’s a mix of whole milk and light cream (about 10–12% fat).
Can I make it without baking?
Yes! Skip layering and bake steps. Mix all cheese into sauce, stir with pasta, and serve stovetop-style.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour blend for the roux.
Conclusion
This baked mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort dish. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, serving it at Thanksgiving, or just treating your family to a cozy dinner, this creamy, cheesy classic hits the spot every single time. Make it once, and it’ll become a staple in your home.