The cheesiest, CREAMIEST homemade mac n cheese you’ll ever make! Macaroni pasta covered in sharp cheddar cheese, melted into a warm cream sauce, and topped with a perfect panko crust. The whole family will definitely approve!
Macaroni and cheese is always a quick and easy go-to for dinner, especially when you cant think of anything to make. The kids never complain (because what kid doesn’t like pasta?), and they love it as much as our Creamy Penne Pasta and Fettuccine Alfredo.
no whining at the dinner table
Macaroni and cheese is always a safe bet. The kids never complain about having mac and cheese for dinner, which means we avoid dinner table whining (I know you know what I’m talking about). 😉
We wanted to share our homemade version, which has become a family favorite. It’s a baked mac and cheese recipe that is easy, cheesy and so delicious! Have you ever made homemade Macaroni and Cheese? If not, today needs to be the day!
This recipe makes for a great dinner idea through out the year, but we even use it frequently during the holidays—it’s a fantastic side dish at big family gatherings!
How to Make Mac and Cheese:
This might take a little longer than boxed mac n cheese, but let me tell ya, the extra time and effort is SO worth it. Plus, most of the ingredients you need are ones you already have on hand, and the steps are simple.
PASTA. Begin by cooking pasta according to package directions, and set aside.
SAUCE. In a large saucepan, melt ½ c. butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth. Heat the mixture to a low boil until thickened. Remove from heat.
ASSEMBLE. Add the hot pasta to a greased 9×13″ baking dish. Then, sprinkle 6 cups shredded cheese over the pasta (yes, you can cut that down if you want). Pour the thickened cream sauce over the pasta and cheese. Let it sit until the cheese has melted and then stir together.
TOP & BAKE. Melt 2 TB butter over medium heat. Add in bread crumbs, stirring constantly until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Pour over the mac and cheese. Bake at 325° for 14-15 minutes. Serve warm, and ENJOY!
CROCK POT VERSION
To make Mac n Cheese an even easier dish you can make it in a crock pot. Pour your pasta in first cover them with your sauces and cheese. Cook on Low for 2-3 hours. For our favorite crock pot mac and cheese CLICK HERE.
Recipe variations
This cheesy mac and cheese is simply the best. Here are some variations you can make, whether it’s changing up the cheese, using different kinds of breadcrumbs or adding ingredients like bacon.
CHEESE. You can get creative with the cheeses by changing the cheddar for a different cheese or blend 2-3 cheese together. A popular blend is equal parts mozzarella, cheddar and american.
Some other cheese that are good to use in a Mac n Cheese recipe include Parmesan, Sharp Cheddar, White Cheddar, smoked Gouda, Gruyere, Colby Jack, Gorgonzola.
TOPPINGS. Adding a topping gives the Mac and Cheese a simple finishing touch. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, or want to try something different, here are a few suggestions you might like: crushed ritz crackers, crushed Triscuits crackers, crushed corn flakes, or sliced almonds.
ADD-INS. If you want to get adventurous, try adding some of these items to change things up: cooked bacon bits, parmesan cheese, salsa or jalapenos, broccoli, roasted red peppers, diced ham, grilled chicken, cooked hamburger, chili flakes.
Tips, Tricks, and FAQ
Why do you add flour into the mac n cheese? The technique for adding flour and butter to Mac n Cheese is called Roux. Roux is a thickening agent used for gravy, sauces, soups, stews. Roux is always made first, then the other ingredients are added.
When the Roux technique is added to Mac n Cheese, it not only thickens the dish, but keeps the cheese from separating and/or clumping together.
Why is my cheese grainy? Here are some tips to keep your cheese from getting a grainy texture: Use high quality cheese with natural ingredients. Grate the cheese yourself as opposed to buying pre grated cheese. Make sure you add the cheese AFTER the Roux sauce has thickened. Also, do not overheat the cheese.
Make Ahead. This can be really useful when you are planning for a larger holiday meal, family BBQ, or on a regular busy day. Prepare the Mac and Cheese according to the recipe. Before baking, cover the dish tightly and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days. When you are ready to use, bake as per recipe directions.
Freeze. If you know you plan to freeze the dish, make sure the pasta is cooked al dente. This pasta dish can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to bake, you can thaw it in the fridge and bake according to the recipe directions, or you can put it directly from the freezer in the oven.
In the latter case, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the foil covered mac n cheese dish in the oven and bake until it’s hot in center (about 1 hour).
I never said this recipe was healthy, but oh man, is it good!! It’s full of cheese, and the Panko crumbs on top make it even more delicious!
what to serve with macaroni and cheese:
For more cheesy recipes, check out:
- Cheesy Chicken Rice Bake
- Cheesy Ravioli Bake
- Creamy Four Cheese Pasta
- Hot Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
- Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Three Cheese Pasta Bake
Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 4 c. milk
- 6 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 TB garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- pepper to taste
- 2 TB butter
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions. In large saucepan, melt ½ c butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in 4 cups milk, whisking until smooth. Heat to a low boil until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Add hot pasta to a greased 9x13" baking dish. 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.
- Melt 2 TB butter over medium heat. Add in bread crumbs, stirring constantly until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Pour over the mac and cheese.
- Bake at 325 for 14-15 minutes. Serve warm.
Video
Recipe adapted from That Which Nourishes
I made this last Sunday and it was a big hit. Thank you Lil Luna
You’re welcome!! So glad to hear you all enjoyed the Mac and Cheese!
I love every single recipe.My sis n law has diabetes and can’t eat much sugar.My email is wickedis63@gmail.com… I was wondering if you could send some tasty sugar free cookies and cakes ,candy and pies. I made her fudge from your site and she was so happy she had tears coming down her face. She goes by her Drs instructions so good. She’s my best friend and I love her so much.This year we drew names 1st time since my mother passed and that’s when she found out she had diabetes. It was another shocker and heart ache over and over. I had lung cancer and she took me and went in every time. So could you help me ,make this Christmas the best one since we lost Mama.(13 yrs ago). With pandemic n all the bad news and life being crazy on its own. So would you or could you if you have a minute Help Me Please. Thank you,Wanda Burt ,Thomaston Ga. God bless and keep you safe
What a beautiful and sweet tribute to your sister! I imagine the shift in her dietary needs has been difficult. We have a few recipes I can think of that use Splenda Naturals Stevia in place of sugar. Here are a couple of those: https://lilluna.com/mini-chocolate-chip-cookies/ https://lilluna.com/homemade-applesauce/ https://lilluna.com/chocolate-mug-cake/. You can also take a recipe from our site that calls for sugar and replace it with a sugar free substitute. Best wishes and blessings to both you and your sister!
This Mac and Cheese had potential, but unfortunately, the flavor was overpowered by the tablespoon of garlic salt. After making this dish I thought that perhaps I’d read the instructions wrong. But that wasn’t the case. It calls for a TBS of garlic salt.
All seven of us who had tried it all agreed that the garlic was overpowering. I honestly think if it had half or 1/4th of the garlic it would’ve been fantastic. I’m willing to give it another go but with less garlic — maybe none at all.
Thanks so much for the feedback! You can definitely play with the amount of garlic if the recipe has more than your family prefers. 🙂
The best Mac n cheese! Everyone loved it! I was afraid the roux wasn’t thickening up because I used almond milk instead of regular milk but it just took time to get the right consistency. I also prepared it the night before and the next day I baked it and it still came out wonderful. Thank you!
This is the best Mac-n-cheese I’ve had in years❣️
This is our family’s favorite!!! I even make it with unsweetened almond milk & it was STILL awesome!!! 😉 SO. GOOD.
Just enough creamy goodness and the bread crumbs on top is perfect. My kids and I love it.
My favorite recipe….use it all the time. Family dinners, holiday dinners, and potlucks!🤗😋
Makes a ton which we love to eat as leftovers
Amazing and makes a lot
What size is a serving? 1/2c 1 cup?
Yes, about 1 cup!