Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (Creamy, Cheesy & Easy!)

There’s just something magical about a warm, bubbly dish of baked mac and cheese fresh out of the oven. It’s cozy, creamy, and always brings that comforting “home” feeling with every bite. Today, I’m sharing my favorite baked mac and cheese recipe — the one I turn to when I want something easy, cheesy, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table smile.

This recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, but the flavor? Oh, it tastes like you spent hours making it. The sauce comes out perfectly velvety, the pasta stays tender, and the golden cheesy topping adds the perfect little crunch. It’s the kind of dish you can make for weeknight dinners, holidays, potlucks, or anytime you just need a big bowl of comfort.

And don’t worry — I’ll walk you through everything step by step so your mac and cheese turns out creamy, smooth, and delicious every single time. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, you’re going to love how easy this is. So let’s get started and make the best baked mac and cheese ever!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

When I say this mac and cheese is special, I mean it. It’s one of those recipes that never disappoints — creamy inside, golden and bubbly on top, and full of rich cheesy flavor in every single forkful. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:

Ultra Creamy Texture

The sauce turns silky-smooth every time. No lumps, no graininess — just pure, dreamy creaminess that hugs each piece of pasta.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

You don’t need anything fancy to make this recipe taste amazing. A handful of kitchen staples come together to make the BEST comfort food.

Perfectly Baked, Never Dry

Some baked mac and cheese dries out in the oven — not this one. The pasta stays tender, and the cheese sauce stays rich and moist.

Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing

Kids love it, adults love it… honestly, everyone loves it. It’s the ultimate side dish (or main dish!) for holidays, potlucks, or cozy dinners.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this baked mac and cheese recipe extra creamy and full of flavor, you only need simple pantry staples. Nothing complicated — just real, cozy comfort food done right.

Pasta

• 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any short pasta like shells or cavatappi)

Cheese

• 3 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 cup mozzarella or gruyère (optional but highly recommended for extra creaminess)

Cheese Sauce Base

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk (whole milk works best)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional for color and flavor)

Topping (Optional but delicious)

• Extra shredded cheese
• Breadcrumbs for a crispy top (totally optional)

How to Make This Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (Step-by-Step Guide)

Get ready — this is the fun part! These steps will help you make the creamiest, dreamiest baked mac and cheese every single time.

Step 1 — Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add your elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (soft but still slightly firm).
• Don’t overcook — the pasta will bake later.
• Drain it well and set it aside.

Step 2 — Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
• Slowly pour in the milk while whisking nonstop.
• Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes silky.
• Turn the heat to low and add 2½ cups of cheddar and the mozzarella (if using).
• Stir until everything melts into a creamy, velvety sauce.
• Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 3 — Combine the Pasta and Sauce

• Add your cooked pasta to the cheese sauce.
• Stir gently until every piece is coated.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 4 — Layer, Top, and Bake

• Pour half of the mac and cheese into a baking dish.
• Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over it.
• Add the rest of the mac and cheese on top.
• Finish with more cheese and breadcrumbs (if you want a crunchy top).
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Tips for the Creamiest Baked Mac and Cheese

If you want your baked mac and cheese to come out extra creamy and dreamy every single time, these simple tips make a huge difference. Trust me — they’re game changers!

Use Freshly Grated Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese has added starch to prevent clumping, and that can make your sauce grainy.
Freshly grated melts smoother, richer, and creamier.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta

Pasta continues to cook in the oven.
If you boil it too long, it turns mushy — go for al dente.

Warm the Milk Before Adding It

Using warm milk helps the sauce thicken faster and stay silky.
(Cold milk can make the roux seize and turn lumpy.)

Bake Just Until Bubbly

Overbaking dries out the sauce.
As soon as the edges start bubbling and the top turns golden, it’s ready to come out.

Use a Cheese Blend for Better Flavor

Cheddar is perfect, but adding mozzarella, gruyère, or Monterey Jack gives you:

• a richer taste
• a creamier pull
• a deeper golden crust

Variations You Can Try

One of the best things about this baked mac and cheese recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can keep it classic, make it extra cheesy, or even spice it up a little. Here are some delicious ideas to try:

Add-Ins for More Flavor

If you want to bulk up your mac and cheese or turn it into a full meal, try adding:

• Crispy bacon bits
• Shredded chicken
• Ground beef or turkey
• Steamed broccoli
• Caramelized onions
• Jalapeños for a kick

These little additions make every version feel brand new.

Make It Extra Cheesy

Love a super cheesy bite?
Try using a combo like:

• Cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Gruyère
• Monterey Jack

The blend gives a beautiful melt and a richer, deeper flavor.

Turn Up the Heat

If you like things spicy, here are quick ways to warm it up:

• Add a pinch of cayenne
• Stir in a spoon of hot sauce
• Add diced jalapeños or chili flakes

A little heat makes the creaminess pop!

More Comfort Food Recipes to Try

If you loved this creamy baked mac and cheese, here are a few cozy, delicious recipes you might enjoy next:

• Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
• Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Chicken
• Mince and Cheese Pie

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Print

This baked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and perfectly golden on top — the ultimate comfort food. Made with simple ingredients and a smooth, homemade cheese sauce, this recipe comes together easily and always impresses.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella or gruyère (optional but recommended)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)

For the Topping:

• ½ cup shredded cheddar (or your favorite cheese blend)
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional for crunch)

Instructions

1. Boil the macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.
4. Slowly add the milk while whisking until the sauce thickens.
5. Add the cheddar and mozzarella and stir until smooth and creamy.
6. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
7. Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
8. Pour half into a baking dish and sprinkle a layer of cheese.
9. Add the rest of the mac and cheese and top with more cheese (and breadcrumbs if you want).
10. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

Always use freshly grated cheese for the creamiest sauce.

Don’t overcook the pasta — it softens more in the oven.

Add a splash of milk before reheating to keep leftovers creamy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 28gFiber: 1gProtein: 21g

These are approximate values and can vary based on the brands of ingredients you use.

If you’re craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug, this baked mac and cheese recipe is exactly what you need. It’s creamy, cheesy, golden on top, and so easy to make — no complicated steps, no fancy ingredients, just pure deliciousness. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting friends, or making a cozy dinner for yourself, this dish always brings smiles to the table.

Now that you know all the tips, tricks, and variations, you can customize it however you like. Make it classic, add a little heat, or load it up with bacon — it always turns out amazing. So go ahead, preheat your oven, grab your favorite cheese, and let’s get baking. And if you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!