BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese: Easy & Irresistible

Mac and cheese was the king of my grandma’s potlucksand somehow, this BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is even better. Golden, gooey, and bubbling over in all the right spots, it’s become a viral favorite on Pinterest and Reddit. This is an easy recipe with big rewards: creamy sauce, crisp topping, total comfort in under an hour.

This one’s extra cheesy, with a smooth sharp cheddar base, buttery pasta, and a crunchy panko topping that would make any diner plate jealous. It’s like an oven-baked mac and cheese dream but cozierthink homestyle mac n cheese meets Sunday dinner comfort. Full details in the blog!

I’ve tested this with every noodle shape in my test kitchenelbows win. Grew up around mac baked twice in cast iron, and yep, I snuck in that bit of magic here. Call it my nod to twice baked mac and cheese recipesyou’ll love the secret that crisps the edges just right.

Why You’ll Love It

This is more than just mac and cheeseit’s pure cozy nostalgia in a dish. Picture creamy, golden cheese hugging tender macaroni, with a blanket of buttery breadcrumbs on top for that perfect crunch. Whether you’re trying to impress at a potluck or curl up with a warm plate on a weeknight, this BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is a sure winner.

• Super creamy: The mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella creates a velvety sauce that coats every bite of pasta.
• User-friendly: No complicated stepsthis is as beginner-friendly as it gets for an easy mac and cheese casserole baked.
• Perfect texture: Crisp, golden panko topping meets gooey cheese pull magic.

Key Ingredients & Tools

You don’t need anything fancy to make this Best Oven Baked Mac and Cheese. A handful of pantry staples and a basic casserole dish will do the trick.

• Elbow macaroni: Classic and the perfect size for soaking up all that cheesy sauce.
• Cheddar and mozzarella: Sharp cheddar adds flavor, while mozzarella brings extra gooeyness.
• Panko breadcrumbs: For that irresistible crunch on top. Tossed in melted butter, they bake to golden perfection.

Tools you’ll need: A whisk for the smooth sauce, a large pot for the pasta, and a trusty 9×13 casserole dish for baking the ultimate homestyle mac n cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let me walk you through how this comes together. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a warm, bubbly dish of delicious mac and cheese ready in no time.

1. Cook the pasta: Boil your elbow macaroni until just al dentedon’t overcook, as it will finish in the oven.
2. Make the roux: Melt unsalted butter in a pot, whisk in flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden and smooth.
3. Whisk in the milk and cream: Gradually stir in milk and heavy cream, cooking until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce.
4. Add the cheese: Remove from heat, then mix in 3 cups of cheddar and all the mozzarella, stirring until melted and velvety.
5. Assemble: Combine the pasta and cheese sauce, then pour into your greased casserole dish.
6. Top it off: Sprinkle with remaining cheddar, then layer on the panko breadcrumbs tossed in melted butter.
7. Bake: Pop it into a preheated 350°F oven for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Timing Breakdown

Troubleshooting & Tips

We all want The Best Easy Mac and Cheese, but sometimes even mac magic can be tricky. Here’s how to handle those snags:

• Clumpy sauce? Make sure to whisk constantly when adding the milk and cream to the rouxit’s all about smoothness.
• Soggy breadcrumbs? Don’t skip tossing panko in melted butter. It’s the secret to a crisp, golden topping.
• Pasta too soft? Cook it just al dente. It’ll continue cooking as the casserole bakes.

Pro Tip: Love crispy edges? Pop the dish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking. Voilàyour nod to “twice baked mac and cheese recipes.”

Serving & Storage

This recipe is made for leftovers! Here’s how to serve and store your oven-baked mac and cheese for maximum deliciousness:

• Serving: Let the dish cool for 5–7 minutes post-bakingthis allows the sauce to set just right.
• Storage: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 325°F for 15–20 minutes.

Storage Tips

Expert Says: Mastering the BEST HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Achieving the perfect baked mac and cheese is all about balancing a creamy cheese sauce with a crisp topping. For the BEST HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE, using a blend of sharp cheeses and finishing with breadcrumbs ensures both rich flavor and satisfying texture every time.

For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!

The Journey to the BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

Perfecting the BEST homemade baked mac and cheese took me several experiments, including one memorable batch that was too dry and another where the cheese sauce separated. After learning how to balance creaminess and bake time, this recipe finally delivers that golden, bubbly top and rich, comforting flavor every family loves.

FAQs ( Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe! )

Conclusion

The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese comes together in under an hour with simple steps and pantry staples. You’ll love how the bubbling, golden crust gives way to that creamy, dreamy centerpure comfort straight from your kitchen to the table.

Feel free to swap sharp cheddar for smoked gouda or stir in a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle twist. Leftovers reheat beautifully, and if you want that extra crisp, broil for a minute or twojust like those beloved twice baked mac and cheese recipes. This dish is as flexible as it is delicious.

Did this easy mac and cheese casserole baked win your heart like it did mine? Snap a pic, share your tweaks, and pass this cozy recipe along. Nothing beats homemade comfort food shared with family and friendsso go ahead, make it your own and savor every bite.

Thomas Baker

BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese: Easy & Irresistible

This BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy cheese sauce with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Easy Mac And Cheese Casserole Baked to golden perfection makes it perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Enjoy this Delicious Mac And Cheese that melts in your mouth with every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter over medium heat.
4. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
5. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, cooking until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Season the cheese sauce with salt and ground black pepper.
8. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix well.
9. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.
10. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter.
11. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the macaroni.
12. Top with the buttery panko breadcrumbs mixture.
13. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
14. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.