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Baked Mac and Cheese

By:Nagi
1,076 Comments
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Still the best Baked Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had, with a stunning white creamy cheese sauce and a buttery breadcrumb topping. This is THE Macaroni Cheese recipe that’s wildly popular every Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Close up of freshly made Baked Mac and Cheese

Close up of Baked Mac and Cheese fresh out of the oven

Baked Mac and Cheese

I don’t want to be morbid, but if I had to choose a Last Meal, this Baked Mac and Cheese may possibly be it. Put me in a room with Macaroni Cheese, and neither of us stand a chance. Said Mac and Cheese would be ravaged.

And of all the Mac and Cheeses in the world, this is still the best Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had!

Baked Macaroni Cheese in a black skillet fresh out of the oven

About this Macaroni and Cheese

This is a Mac and Cheese recipe that is everything you want in a knock-your-socks off Macaroni Cheese – cheesy and creamy, with perfectly cooked macaroni (no bloated pasta!), plenty of sauce and a crunchy buttery top (essential in my world!)

What goes in Baked Mac and Cheese

Here’s what you need. Cheese. Butter. Pasta. All the essential food groups covered!😂

What goes in Baked Mac and Cheese

Best pasta for Mac and Cheese?

Macaroni, also known as elbow pasta. But really, any short pasta will work just fine – penne, ziti, twirls etc.

Best cheese for Mac and Cheese?

A combination of Gruyere and mozzarella cheese. Gruyere for the most superior flavour with the best melting qualities for creamy sauces such as this – there’s no contention in my view. And mozzarella for stretch – nothing does the cheese pull like a good mozzarella!

But honestly, any cheese that melts well works is excellent with Mac and Cheese, such as cheddar, tasty, Colby, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Emmental.

No cream?

NO! You do NOT need it. This sauce is rich enough as it is from the butter and cheese. Cream makes it so rich you can’t eat more than a few spoonfuls. How disappointing!!!

How to make Baked Mac and Cheese

It’s a straightforward recipe, starting with a basic butter-flour roux that is used to thicken milk to make the cheese sauce. For first timers, I think the short video below will help give you the confidence that you’ve got this! 

How to make Baked Mac and Cheese

The simple trick to avoid lumps in the Mac and Cheese Sauce is to pour the milk in slowly while constantly stirring, then just switch to a whisk if needed to remove any stubborn lumps!

Photo of Baked Mac and Cheese in a rustic bowl, ready to be eaten

Tips for the BEST Mac & Cheese

  • Freshly grated cheese – don’t use pre shredded. They have anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy;

  • No bloated overcooked pasta – Cool macaroni slightly and lightly coat in butter. This stops the macaroni from absorbing more liquid while baking, resulting in bloated overcooked pasta (hot pasta absorbs liquid faster, butter creates thin film of protection) and less sauce;

  • Stir constantly once you add the milk to ensure your sauce is silky smooth;

  • Plenty of sauce – Because I like my Mac and Cheese saucy, not dried up so you can cut it like cake!

  • Can you make Mac and Cheese ahead of time? Most recipes are not suitable for making ahead, but this recipe is! The best way is to cool pasta then toss with sauce and adding breadcrumb topping. Cool, refrigerate or freeze then bake on the day of.

  • How long can Mac and Cheese stay in the fridge? This Macaroni Cheese recipe is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Most will not keep well because there’s not enough sauce so it gets absorbed by the pasta and you’re left with dry, sauceless pasta.

  • Freezing? Yes! Assemble, cool, do not bake, just freeze it. Thaw then on the day of, bake per the recipe.

  • Add ins? This recipe is great as it is, but there’s tons of add-in options. Add shredded chicken, sautéed onion and bell peppers/capsicum, bacon, hot sauce (for heat!), dried herbs of choice

Spoon lifting up a scoop of cheesy Macaroni Cheese

What to serve with Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is worthy of serving as a meal in its own right, served with just a fresh green salad or simple vegetable side. Nothing heavy because Macaroni Cheese is so rich as it is!

As a side dish, it will compliment virtually any non-Asian main dish. From simple Baked Pork Chops to Steak, a Roast Chicken to Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, the only things I probably would not serve with Mac and Cheese would be very light summery mains such as a Tuna Tartare – just a little too much contrast.

And of course, festive gatherings! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter – alongside a grand Roast Turkey or your Herb & Garlic Butter Slathered Turkey Breast, the juicy Roast Pork with impossibly Crispy Crackling or your Prime Rib that’s so perfectly blushing pink all the way through, it makes you want to weep.

Holidays would not be the same without this Mac and Cheese!! – Nagi xx

Baked Mac and Cheese recipe
Watch how to make it

Baked Mac and Cheese recipe video! Don’t miss the ending when it comes out of the oven….

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Close up of freshly made Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 1 hr
Total: 1 hr 10 mins
Side
Western
5 from 299 votes
Servings6 - 8 people
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe VIDEO above. Still the best Baked Mac and Cheese I've ever had in my life! Perfect in every way, this has a stunningly white, ultra creamy cheese sauce with a beautiful crunchy, buttery topping.
Great one for serving at gatherings because it won't dry out and go stodgy like most Macaroni Cheese recipes because of the extra step of tossing the macaroni in butter (stops it from bloating) and because it's extra saucy out of the oven. 
TOP TIP: Grate your own cheese, it makes all the difference. Store bought includes anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a bit grainy or powdery.

Ingredients

Macaroni:

  • 250g / 8 oz macaroni (elbow pasta)
  • 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter (or 2 tsp oil)

Topping:

  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs (Note 1)
  • 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup flour , plain / all purpose
  • 3 cups milk , warmed (low or full fat)
  • 2 cups freshly shredded cheese, gruyere best (followed by cheddar and Colby) (Note 2)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese , or more other cheese of choice (Note 2)
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Seasonings (optional):

  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder

Instructions

Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add macaroni and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.
  • Drain, return pasta to pot, add butter and toss until melted. Set aside to cool while making the Sauce (Optional - Note 3).

Topping:

  • Mix together Topping. Set aside.

Sauce (video is helpful):

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
  • In a large saucepan or in an ovenproof skillet (I use my 26cm/9" Lodge cast iron skillet), melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  • Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix to dissolve the paste into the milk. Then add remaining milk and mix until lump free (use whisk if required).
  • Mix in salt and Seasonings if using.
  • Cook, stirring/whisking regularly, for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency. When the Sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, you should be able to draw a path with your finger.
  • Remove from stove, add cheese and stir - cheese doesn't need to melt.
  • Adjust salt to taste.

Assembling:

  • Pour Sauce into pot with Macaroni. Stir quickly, then pour back into the skillet (I did this) or a baking dish (Note 4). Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until top is light golden. Don't bake too long otherwise you'll bake away the Sauce!
  • Serve immediately! I sprinkled mine with a bit of fresh parsley.

Recipe Notes:

1. Panko breadcrumbs are larger pieces than normal breadcrumbs which creates a really nice extra crunchy topping. It can be found in the Asian section of supermarkets here in Australia. Can sub with normal breadcrumbs.
2. Cheese
  • Main Cheese (2 cups) - my favourite is gruyere (used in video), for flavour and melting quality. Can use any flavoured melting cheese. Other cheeses I like for this include: cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, provolone. (Australia/NZ: Tasty cheese works & super tasty but sauce is not quite as smooth);
  • I like to use mozzarella for the 2nd cheese (1 cup). It melts really well into the sauce, has that nice stretch, and isn't as oily like other cheese can tend to be. However, you can just use more of the Main Cheese. 
  • Always grate your own cheese for cheese sauces. Store bought shredded cheese have anti caking agents which don't melt so can give the sauce a slight powdery texture.
3. Tossing pasta with butter provides a light coating that helps prevent it from bloating while baking in the sauce. This is also the reason why I let the pasta cool before mixing in with the sauce. Optional step - can skip it.
4. Baking dish size - 2.5L/2.5qt (10 cup) baking dish. A 9 x 13" / 23 x 33 dish is perfect for a double batch, a little too big for a single batch (spreads too thinly, you want more depth).
5. PREPARE AHEAD: Mac and Cheese is best made fresh but if you need to make ahead, this is the best way: Cook pasta and toss in butter, cool. Make cheese sauce per recipe, then cool with LID ON (important, to avoid evaporation). Make topping. Store all components separately in the fridge until required. Mix sauce and pasta, top with topping then bake per recipe.
REHEATING LEFTOVERS: Best way is to microwave to make warm then spray top with oil (or butter) and crisp under grill/broiler.
6. Nutrition per serving. 6 servings as a generous side - you will be surprised how far 250g/8oz stretches with a load of cheese sauce! Will serve 4 generously as a main.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 551cal (28%)Carbohydrates: 48g (16%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fat: 29g (45%)Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)Cholesterol: 89mg (30%)Sodium: 847mg (37%)Potassium: 326mg (9%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 915IU (18%)Vitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 449mg (45%)Iron: 1.4mg (8%)
Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, BEST Mac and Cheese, Mac and cheese recipe, Macaroni and Cheese
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Recipe first published July 2017. Updated a few times since then with better photos, addition of recipe video. Updated November 2020 to reconfirm that it is STILL the best Mac I’ve ever had!! No changes to recipe – readers would never forgive me!!

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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1,076 Comments

  1. Barb says

    5 stars
    This is a really, really good baked Mac and cheese recipe. The only thing I did different was to use sharp cheddar in place of the gruyere because gruyere is really expensive. The whole family loved it!

    Reply

  3. Rita says

    I’ve made this before and it was nice. However my carnivorous son wants some meat in it. Would it be too weird to add turkey mince into it? We already eat a lot of chicken, so was looking for something other than that. He’s also not a fan of tuna.
    Thanks!

    Reply

  6. Cerae says

    5 stars
    What can’t you do!? Nagi, you never steer me wrong.
    This is such a great recipe and never dry. I didn’t have macaroni so I used ditalini and it was immense!

    Reply

  7. Viv says

    5 stars
    I was a bit nervous cooking this as the last time I tried a mac cheese recipe it was awful. This is seriously the best Macaroni Cheese recipe ever. We had it as part of a family dinner. It was a total hit, everyone loved it and went back for more..

    Reply

  9. Leslie Howard says

    5 stars
    Incredible. I made it for a dinner with several kids. (I made it for the kid) and everyone had second helpings. It was a rave hit. I also made it several hours before and warmed it in the oven. It was perfect in every way. Last supper meal for sure.

    Reply

  10. Sandy says

    5 stars
    My daughters 18th birthday requested Nagi’s Mac and cheese! All the way from Canada love your recipes and Dozer too. Thanks for your down to earth recipes!

    Reply

  12. Sayuri says

    I am so lucky I came across your site. I can’t wait to try your recipes, I am going crazy choosing which one to do first. They all look sooo yummy. Thank you Nagi for sharing them

    Reply

  14. Mary Gallagher says

    Nagi, this recipe is outstanding! You killed it with this Mac and Cheese. I used white cheddar instead of the mozzarella. Love your blog, love your dog, you’re a delight.

    Reply
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