Description
This Baked Mac and Cheese with Creamy Sauce is the ultimate comfort food. A rich, velvety cheese sauce hugs every macaroni noodle, while the oven creates that golden, bubbling crust on top. Perfect as a standalone meal or crowd-pleasing side, it’s the kind of dish that brings everyone back for seconds.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
1. Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until golden.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Cook until thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
4. Lower heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
5. Fold in cooked macaroni gently until evenly coated.
6. Pour mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with extra cheddar and Parmesan.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Serve hot.
Notes
Always shred cheese fresh for better melt and texture.
Don’t overcook the roux or it’ll taste nutty—aim for golden, not brown.
A splash of milk when reheating will revive the creamy texture perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, macaroni bake