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I love making this baked mac and cheese when I need a quick meal. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy flavor. It’s the perfect comfort food because it’s simple to make and always a family favorite.
“This baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food! It’s so creamy and cheesy!”
-Becky
This classic baked mac and cheese begins with a smooth, stovetop cheese sauce and then it’s finished in the oven for that melted, golden top. No breadcrumbs needed, just velvety pasta, coated in melted cheese. It’s always a hit at dinner time or holidays.
Although baked mac and cheese is a crowd favorite on its own, I love pairing it with other comforting dishes like Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs, or Homemade Beanie Weenies.
For a complete BBQ meal, serve mac and cheese with these Smoked Jalapeno Poppers or these Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs.
Ingredients You Will Need
- elbow macaroni
- unsalted butter
- heavy cream
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- garlic powder
- paprika
A full list of ingredients and exact measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute the cheddar for Gruyère, Fontina, or Monterey Jack Cheese for a deeper flavor.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a kick.
- Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon, chicken, or veggies for a heartier version.
How to Make Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. (It will continue cooking in the oven so it doesn’t need to be completely done in this step.)
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then stir in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir occasionally until it lightly begins to simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and add in 2 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir together until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta – It continues cooking in the oven.
- Use a mix of cheeses – Cheddar gives sharpness, mozzarella adds creaminess.
This mac and cheese is great for family events or game days. Serve it alongside fun snacks like these Pizza Cupcakes, homemade soft pretzels, or these easy grab and go baked ham and cheese sliders, for a complete party table spread.
Baked Mac and Cheese FAQs
Yes! You can prep this whole dish a day in advance. Just assemble it, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it, add a few extra minutes to the cook time to make sure it’s nice and hot all the way through.
Definitely. You can freeze it before or after baking. If you’re freezing before, just put it all together in the dish, wrap it up well, and freeze. When you’re ready to serve it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual. If it’s already baked, let it cool completely, it’s easier to reheat if you portion it out first and freeze. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Sharp cheddar is a classic for a reason! It’s flavorful and melts beautifully. I also like adding mozzarella for extra creaminess. If you want to mix it up, try Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or even a little Parmesan. Combining cheeses gives you a rich, melty sauce with lots of flavor.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Halloween Recipes
Mummy Hot Dogs
Smoker and BBQ Recipes
Smoked Pork Tenderloin
Smoker and BBQ Recipes
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Holidays
Roasted Turkey
If you have tried this recipe or any others from Celebrating Simply, I’d love it if you would leave a ⭐ star rating and share your thoughts in the ✍️ comments below. Your feedback means a lot!
Baked Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Dish
- Large Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces heavy cream, 1 pint
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. (It will continue cooking in the oven so it doesn't need to be completely done in this step.)
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then stir in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir occasionally until it lightly begins to simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and add in 2 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir together until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Mac and Cheese recipe is delicious, I don’t eat Mac and Cheese that often but in the future when I do, I’ll definitely be making this recipe.
This recipe is really easy and delicious! Perfect for the kids dinner!