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!
Baked mac and cheese recipe
This baked mac and cheese recipe does not disappoint! I love mac and cheese and happen to think every meal is better with it. 🙂
It has so much cheesy goodness and it is blended together perfectly for a great side dish. However, if I must confess, I could eat this for dinner by itself. 🙂 It is seriously that good!
If you are looking for the best baked mac and cheese, give this a try. Our family loves it and it is super easy to make. Skip those store bought mixes and make this instead.
We also have a stove top version if you want to try this easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe.
Ingredients for baked mac and cheese:
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
- Pepper
For the Bread Crumb Topping:
- Planko Bread Crumbs
- Butter, melted
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic Salt
How to make mac and cheese:
First, 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!
VARIATIONS OF MAC AND CHEESE
- You can try other blends of cheese. Try monterrey jack, colby, mild cheddar, pepper jack or anything you prefer.
- The panko topping is amazing but if you are out, try using crackers. We have used crushed Ritz and it turned out fabulous.
- Use any type of pasta you have on hand. Penne, bowtie or any type will work.
- Puree cauliflower to sneak into the sauce if you want to get some veggies in. 🙂
- Toss in leftover Rotisserie chicken or even tuna to make this like a casserole.
MAKING MAC AND CHEESE AHEAD OF TIME
If you need to make this ahead of time, it will keep in the fridge 1-2 days until you are ready to actually bake it. This is a big help during holidays or for busy weeks.
Just make the mac and cheese as directed and cover and place in the fridge. I have made this 2 days in advance and placed in the fridge until ready to bake. So convenient!
Make sure you have a good baking dish for this creamy baked mac and cheese.
There are several baking dishes on sale here. We used a 9×13 baking dish and worked perfectly.
The ones with the lid are really handy if you are taking this dish somewhere.
I often use the disposable pans for when I am taking the mac and cheese to a potluck or gathering. I like not having to worry about the pan.
This recipe is always a hit!
Try freezing this easy recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese freezes great! Cook like normal and place in a foil 13×9 baking pan to freeze.
When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw, and just bake as normal. You will love having an extra pan of this in the freezer. 🙂
Everyone will enjoy this delicious baked mac and cheese!
This baked macaroni and cheese is one of our favorite comfort foods. The cheese sauce is so creamy and the bread crumbs make it extra yummy.
Shredding cheese only takes a few extra minutes and I think it tastes better. Pre shredded cheese does not melt the same as when you shred it yourself.
You can tell a difference in this homemade mac and cheese. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Print this recipe for baked macaroni and cheese below:
This easy Baked mac and cheese recipe is so creamy and cheesy. The delicious bread crumb topping makes this Southern mac and cheese amazing!
- 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
-
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!
If you love this recipe, check out these other delicious side dishes:
- Baked Potatoes in the Microwave – Easy to make!
- Easy Recipe on how to Grill Corn on the Cob
- Foil Pack Grilled Potatoes
- Parmesan Pasta – Easy 2 Ingredient Side Dish
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese
- Panfried zucchini recipe
- Roasted zucchini and squash recipe
- Cheesy potato casserole
- Easy Baked Beans Recipe
- Garlic Lime Steamed Asparagus
- Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Potatoes Recipe
Ashley says
Made this for Christmas dinner. It was DELICIOUS!
Carrie says
We love this for the holidays!
Julie says
Is it 2 cups of Cheddar Cheese or 4 cups? The list says 4 but the recipe says 2.
Carrie says
I use 4 cups of cheddar cheese for this recipe.
Ben says
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.
Lumarie says
Delicious & easy ingredients!! It was a hit with my whole family! Thank you so much for sharing ?
Carrie says
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Carrie says
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.