Easy Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! Cheesy, creamy & delicious…this recipe will become a go-to recipe for game day, parties, or any time you crave home cooked goodness! So easy to prep, and it is perfect to prepare ahead of time and bake when you need it!
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There is nothing more comforting than a warm, creamy bowl of cheesy mac and cheese. Homemade Mac and Cheese is hands down the best comfort food there is! This recipe is so easy to make and it is perfect to prep ahead of time, pop in the oven before kick off for a hot dish for game day!
Cheese, Cheese, Cheese!
This recipe is so easy to customize and choose your favorite cheeses! I like to combine cheddar and colby jack. I love the creaminess of colby jack, with its mild flavor. This combined with the sharpness of cheddar….it is a mouthful of cheesy perfection! You can opt to use only one type of cheese, if you prefer however the complexity of combining cheeses makes this dish out of this world.
Love Mac and Cheese? Check out this great recipe for Lobster Mac and Cheese!
Good cheeses for your mac and cheese:
- Gruyère: This hard cheese melts beautifully and offers a nutty flavor! Add sun-dried tomatoes for a gourmet twist!
- Gouda: Gouda cheese melts incredibly well and gives mac and cheese a sophisticated taste…add a little crumbled bacon and YUM!
- Cheddar: Of course! Sharp and bright, this makes for a classic tasting mac and cheese!
- Pepper Jack: Spice things up with pepper jack cheese!
Noodles!
The type of noodle you choose for your Easy Baked Mac and Cheese matters. Go for an option that will coat well with cheese and has little pockets to capture all of that cheesy goodness. My favorite is small shells, the cup of the noodle makes for a perfect bite! Elbow noodles and Cavatappi also are good options!
Helpful Hints
When shopping for ingredients, choose cheese in blocks and shred your own. Pre-grated cheeses do not melt as well as it is coated with a starch or preservative to prevent it from clumping. This seriously impacts the melting factor. So a little elbow grease is needed for perfect, creamy results!
Cook your pasta to al dente. Overcooking it will result in mushy noodles after baking. A good firm noodle will hold that cheese much better!
Cheese does not melt well twice. If you are planning to make this dish ahead of time to bake later, allow the noodles and cheese to cool prior to spreading grated cheese over the top prior to popping in the fridge. I do love that this Easy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe can be made ahead of time, perfect for parties and game day so that you are not pulled away from the action!
If baking later, add your dish into the oven while the oven is still cold. This will prevent your glass pan from cracking. It also allows the food to heat evenly.
I prefer topping my mac and cheese with more cheese, well because I love cheese! But I don’t love the texture of bread crumbs in my creamy mac and cheese. Although, use bread crumbs if you prefer.
Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Elbow Macaroni or Small Shell Pasta
- 6 TBSP Butter
- 6 TBSP All-Purpose Flour
- 4 Cups Whole Milk
- 2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese Shredded
- 2½ Cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded, Separated
- ½ TSP Salt
- ½ TSP Freshly Ground Pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, bring 4 to 6 quarts of well salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add pasta and cook to just al dente. Rinse and drain well.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- While pasta cooks, melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet.
- Add flour to butter and stir over medium heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly browned.
- Add the milk and whisk to remove any lumps. Add the salt and pepper.
- Cook mixture for 5-6 minutes over medium-high heat until sauce thickens and begins bubbling.
- Once sauce has thickened, mix in cheese, reserving about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese for topping. Whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine sauce & drained pasta. Mix until coated.
- Transfer pasta into a greased 9×13 baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
- Place under broiler for 2 minutes to make a golden top. Watch closely!
- To prepare from cold, place the cold dish straight from the fridge into a cold oven. Turn the oven on to 350 degrees and bring to temperature. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Eat well. Live fully. Bake often.
