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This is the cheesiest, CREAMIEST homemade mac and cheese recipe you’ll ever make! The whole family will definitely approve!

The kids never complain, and they love it as much as our Creamy Penne Pasta and Fettuccine Alfredo.

Homemade Mac and Cheese on spoon in casserole dish.


We love IT!

Macaroni and cheese is always a safe dinner recipe. The entire family loves it, and we will tell you why:

  • This dish is simple! It’s prepped in 15 minutes and on the table in 40.
  • It’s cheesy and delicious. With Panko bread crumbs on top and loads of cheese in between, everyone loves this recipe.
  • Easy to change up. This recipe is a great base for a classic Mac and Cheese, but use it to change up and add any other favorite ingredients.
  • Can be made ahead of time. For busy nights and holidays (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), it’s always great to have dishes that can be made in advance.

This homemade mac and cheese makes for a great pasta dish for any time of the year, and it’s a fantastic side dish at big family gatherings!

Macaroni pasta on table.

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

  • elbow macaroni – we refer elbow macaroni, but other pastas to use are: shell, cavatappi, penne, farfalle, fusilli, or rotini
  • salted butter
  • all-purpose flour
  • garlic salt
  • pepper to taste
  • milk – using 2% or higher milk is suggested
  • shredded sharp cheddar cheese – other cheeses that we like, include: equal parts mozzarella, cheddar, and American. Other cheeses include Parmesan, White Cheddar, Fontina, smoked Gouda, Gruyere, Colby Jack, and Gorgonzola.
  • Panko breadcrumbs – We use plain Panko breadcrumbs, but flavored crumbs or regular breadcrumbs work. Crushed Ritz crackers and crushed corn flakes also work.

How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. PASTA. Boil pasta according to package directions.
  3. SAUCE. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt ½ cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper. Slowly pour in milk, whisking until smooth. Heat to a low boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4–5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  4. COMBINE. Drain pasta and transfer to a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pasta. Pour thickened cheese sauce over pasta and cheese. Let sit until the cheese has melted, then stir together.
  5. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 3–5 minutes. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
  6. BAKE. Bake for 14–15 minutes. Serve warm.
Cheesy macaroni in a crockpot topped with crumble.

CROCK POT VERSION

  1. COMBINE. To make this version in the slow cooker, follow the instructions through step 1, then add hot pasta to a greased crockpot. Sprinkle 6 cups shredded cheese over pasta. Pour the thickened cream sauce over the pasta and cheese. Let sit until the cheese has melted and stir together.
  2. HEAT. Cook on Low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. TOPPING. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add in bread crumbs, stirring constantly until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Pour over the mac and cheese and let warm for 5 minutes before serving.

For our favorite crock pot mac and cheese CLICK HERE

Macaroni topped with shredded cheese in a baking dish.

variations

Add-ins. To get adventurous, try adding some of these items to change things up:

  • Spice: salsa, jalapeños, or chili flakes
  • Meats: cooked bacon bits, diced ham, grilled chicken, or cooked hamburger
  • Veggies: chopped spinach, broccoli, or roasted red peppers
  • Seasoning: a dash of flavor with garlic powder, dry mustard, onion powder, or paprika
Pouring cheesy sauce over macaroni topped with shredded cheese.

Recipe tips

Adjust the sauce as needed with these tips.

  • To avoid a grainy/gritty cheese sauce.
    • Use high-quality aged cheddar cheese.
    • Grate the cheese yourself – do not buy pre-shredded cheese (it does not melt as well and makes a sauce less creamy).
    • Bring the cheese to room temp before grating.
    • Make sure you add the cheese AFTER the roux sauce has thickened and cook on a low temperature or with the heat off – just needs to be able to melt.
  • To fix a dry mac and cheese. Stir in the milk as you heat up the dish. It will add moisture and creaminess back to the dish.
  • The flour mixture. When the roux technique is added to mac and cheese, it not only thickens the dish but keeps the cheese from separating and/or clumping together.
  • Thicken. The sauce should be creamy, not soupy. To make it more thick:
    • Use whole milk
    • Add in more cheese
    • Cornstarch slurry: In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of COLD water with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and stir it in to cook a bit more.
Best homemade Mac and Cheese recipe in casserole dish.

Storing info

  • STORE. Leftovers can be stored, covered in the fridge, for 2-3 days.
  • Make ahead of time. Prepare the mac and cheese according to the recipe.Before baking, cover the dish tightly and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days. When you are ready to use, bake as per recipe directions.
  • FREEZE. If you plan to freeze the dish, make sure the pasta is cooked al dente. This pasta dish can be frozen for 2-3 months.
    • Thaw then bake. Thaw it in the refrigerator and bake according to the recipe directions.
    • Straight to the oven. Put it directly from the freezer into the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake until it’s hot in the center (about 1 hour).
Spoonful of Homemade Mac and Cheese on a fork.

For more cheesy pastas:

4.99 from 165 votes

Mac and Cheese Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This is the cheesiest, CREAMIEST homemade mac and cheese you'll ever make! The whole family will definitely approve!
Servings: 10
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons salted butter divided
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 4 cups milk
  • 6 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Boil pasta according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt ½ cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper. Slowly pour in milk, whisking until smooth. Heat to a low boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4–5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Drain pasta and transfer to a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pasta. Pour thickened cream sauce over pasta and cheese. Let sit until the cheese has melted, then stir together.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 3–5 minutes. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
  • Bake for 14–15 minutes. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Prepare the mac and cheese as directed above, but do not add the buttered breadcrumbs. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Before baking, make breadcrumbs, sprinkle on top, and bake per recipe directions.
Slow cooker directions. Follow Steps 2 and 3, then pour hot pasta into a greased slow cooker. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pasta, followed by thickened cream sauce, and stir together. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Make breadcrumbs as directed in Step 4 and pour over macaroni. Let warm for 5 minutes before serving.
Variations. Change up the cheese for extra flavor. A popular blend is equal parts mozzarella, cheddar, and American. Other cheeses that are good to use in mac and cheese include Parmesan, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Gruyère, Colby Jack, and Gorgonzola.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 292kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 1245mg, Potassium: 207mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 582IU, Calcium: 411mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Recipe adapted from That Which Nourishes



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




179 Comments

  1. How much flour???
    How much milk??
    How much cheese?

    You are putting a recipe out there without listing that??? Shame.

    1. Hi U ARENT THINKING, So if you scroll to the bottom of the post (or click on “jump to recipe”), the full ingredient list and instructions are all there. Hope that helps!

  2. 5 stars
    This is the best mac and cheese recipe I’ve ever tried! It’s super creamy and so delicious!! Thank you so much for sharing!

  3. 5 stars
    My ultimate comfort food! This homemade mac and cheese is incredibly scrumptious, rich and cheesy. It’s addicting!

  4. 5 stars
    This receipe (Homemade Mac & Cheese was easy and a hit with the family! I did sub the bread crumbs for crushed corn flakes (I remembered my grandmother doing this). EXCELLENT!