Best 20 Baked Mac Cheese Recipes

THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER

Steps:

• Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
• Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
• Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
• Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain., In a Dutch oven, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat; saute onion until tender. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., In a microwave, melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes.

TASTY BAKED MAC N CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through and firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle macaroni with 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir 1/2 cup butter into the pasta.
• Mix 1/4 cup butter, sour cream, cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, and egg yolk together in a bowl. Stir flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper, and milk into the sour cream mixture.
• Spread 1/4 cup sour cream sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Stir remaining sour cream sauce into macaroni. Pour macaroni into baking dish atop sauce layer; sprinkle mild Cheddar cheese over the casserole.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheese topping has melted, about 15 minutes.

BAKED TOMATO MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Whisk milk and flour together in a small bowl.
• Melt butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Pour in milk/flour mixture; stir constantly until thickened. Add most of the cheese, reserving a few tablespoons to sprinkle over top before baking. Mix in drained tomatoes, and salsa verde. Continue stirring until cheese is melted. Season to taste with black pepper. Stir in macaroni and thoroughly blend with the sauce.
• Divide among individual serving-sized ovenproof baking dishes or ramekins. Top with remaining cheese. and bake 10 minutes. Place under broiler for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until top is browned.
• Bake in preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and cook until tops are browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH SOUR CREAM AND COTTAGE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
• Reserve 1/2 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese for later use
• Mix mild Cheddar cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and egg together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Stir cooked macaroni into cheese mixture. Pour macaroni mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED TOMATO MAC N CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain, return macaroni to pot, and stir tomatoes into the macaroni. Cook over medium heat until the macaroni absorbs some of the liquid from the tomatoes, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir flour into melted butter and cook until bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly stream half-and-half and chicken broth into the butter mixture while stirring. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to cook while stirring continually until thickened and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Melt mild Cheddar cheese and sharp Cheddar cheese into the butter mixture one handful at a time, stirring to incorporate each addition before adding the next. Season the cheese mixture with pepper and pour over the macaroni; stir to coat pasta evenly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with crushed crackers.
• Bake in preheated oven until crust is golden brown and the liquid is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED MAC & CHEESE W/ GOUDA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Spray a shallow 8x8 baking dish; set aside.
• Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente.
• Drain pasta, rinse with cold water, drain and return to pot.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Whisk in seasonings; then whisk in flour to form a thick paste.
• Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a low boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• To baking dish, layering:.
• Add 1/2 of cooked macaroni. Add 1/2 of sauce, 1/2 of each cheese. Repeat and top with cheeses.
• Can be made several hours in advance, covered and refrigerated until time to bake.
• Bake covered for 15-20 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, an additional 15-20 minutes.
• *If refrigerated, additional time may be needed until it is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Cool 5 minutes before serving.
• *Notes: I use a packet of G. Washington Golden seasoning instead of salt & pepper. If you can find it, it is a great universal seasoning for sauces.
• April 2012, EDIT TO ADD: if doubling this recipe, use only 5 tablespoons of flour and 6 cups of milk. If you do not, you run the risk of a not so creamy and somewhat dry end result. At times I have added a bit more milk than recommended because the under cooked macaroni will absorb some of the milk. IMO a little creamier is better than too dry.

ELSIE'S BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the inside of a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Combine Cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to package directions; drain well and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Blend in flour, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually whisk in milk and half & half. Stir constantly, until mixture boils and thickens (about 2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat and add cayenne and black peppers, and 2 cups of the reserved cheese mixture; stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
• Stir cooked macaroni into the sauce and season to taste. Place in the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and dot with additional butter, if desired. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

SOUTHERN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until 3 minutes less than fully cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled; drain well. Add the cooked pasta back to the pot.
• Put the eggs, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, ground mustard, nutmeg and a big pinch of salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
• Toss together the Cheddar, mozzarella and Gouda in a large bowl. Add the cheeses to the pot and stir to evenly combine. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Bake until the center of the mac and cheese is set and the top is golden brown, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

OLD FASHIONED BAKED MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni noodles in salted water until just before being tender. (Noodles will continue to bake in dish.).
• While noodles are cooking, beat eggs in a large bowl.
• Add milk to eggs and stir in all other ingredients except the 8 ounces of cheese.
• Combine drained noodles with egg mixture.
• Pour into buttered 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
• Begin baking at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake 15 more minutes until becomes bubbly and slight brown at edges. Sprinkle 8 ounces of cheese on top and bake for last 5 minutes. Do not over bake. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.

SUNNY'S EASY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For the chicken and pasta: Remove 4 to 5 chipotle peppers and a bit of adobo sauce from the can and rub it all over the chicken; measure out 2 tablespoons of the adobo sauce and set aside for later (reserve any remaining chiles and adobo sauce from the can for another use). Rest the chicken in a bowl or on a plate for 2 hours total, refrigerated first for 1 1/2 hours, then at room temperature for an additional 30 minutes.
• In a large pot, add the garlic, chicken and the chipotle peppers from the marinade. Add just enough water to cover, then bring to a boil on medium high. Once boiling, turn the heat to the lowest setting and poach the chicken until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and rest (reserve the poaching water for cooking the pasta). Fish out the peppers and discard them; place the garlic cloves in a large bowl and smash them with the back of a spoon or your hands. Once the chicken is cool enough to touch, shred it by hand into bite-size pieces.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Use the butter or cooking spray to coat the bottom and sides of a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish.
• In the same pot used to poach the chicken, add more water to the poaching water and a nice pinch of salt and bring the pot back to a boil (watch the water; it may foam up a bit from the poaching process). Add the pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package suggests. Drain the pasta in a colander.
• For the sauce: In the large bowl with the garlic, add the heavy cream, cheese, crema, flour, pepper, scallions, eggs, reserved 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, shredded chicken and cooked pasta. Stir to combine. Pour into the prepared dish.
• For the topping: In a medium bowl, toss together the crushed chips and cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the dish. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes.

BROCCOLI AND CHICKEN BAKED MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Heat about 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over Medium/High heat. Add chicken to the pan and saute until done, seasoning with salt and pepper if preferred.
• If broccoli florets are not already cooked and chopped, do this now. You can buy frozen chopped broccoli to save time.
• Add chicken and broccoli to the already cooked macaroni pasta. Toss to make sure it is well mixed.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cheddar cheese soup, evaporated milk, sour cream, milk, Parmesan and seasoned salt. Add the butter after everything else is mixed.
• Cover with plastic wrap and cut a few slits in the top to vent.
• Microwave for 4 minutes to melt butter and heat the rest of the soup mixture. Make sure butter is melted when finished. If not, stir and microwave for another minute or two.
• To assemble the macaroni, layer 1/2 of the macaroni/chicken/broccoli mixture in the bottom of a sprayed 9x13 glass baking dish. Top with half of the cheese soup mixture. Top with half of the shredded cheese.
• Repeat all three layers one more time.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the cheese on top is melted. If the top is already browned, skip the next step.
• Turn oven to BROIL and allow macaroni to remain in the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese on top is lightly browned. You may even want to keep the oven door open a crack to watch the top and make sure it doesn't burn.
• You can make this a day or two ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it. Just remove it from the fridge about 45 minutes before baking so it comes up to room temperature and cooks evenly.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE FOR ONE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease an oven-proof soup crock or 1 cup baking dish.
• Fill a small saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Stir in the macaroni; boil until cooked but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well, and reserve.
• In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and milk; whisk until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and whisk in 1/3 cup cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir in the cooked macaroni. Spoon the macaroni and cheese into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the macaroni is heated through, about 10 minutes.

BAKED MAC N CHEESE WITH POTATO CHIP TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, in a separate pot, melt the butter.
• Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about 5 minute Make sure it is free of lumps.
• Stir in milk, onion, bay leaf and paprika. Simmer for 10 minute and remove bay leaf.
• Temper in the egg.
• Stir in 3/4 of the cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2 quart baking dish.
• Top with remaining cheese and potato chips.
• Bake 30 minute Let stand for 5 minutes before serving, then bask in the compliments during dinner!

DECADENT BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cream, half-and-half, and garlic salt. Add Gruyere cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Oaxaca cheese. Stir into cream until melted. Drain pasta and add to the sauce; stir to coat.
• Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and pour in pasta mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

BAKED MAC & CHEESE FOR TWO

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; stir in the salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted., Drain pasta; stir in cheese sauce. Transfer to an ungreased 2-cup baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.

BAKED "NOT FRIED" MAC AND CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• The night before you would like to make this dish, cook the box mix of mac and cheese according to the directions on the box. Pour the mac and cheese into an 8 x8, 9x9 or and flat pan in the refrigerator to set overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line three bowls on the counter.
• In the first bowl, combine flour, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• In the second bowl, break the egg and slightly scramble it.
• In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs and wheat bran.
• Take the chilled mac and cheese out of the refrigerator and cut into 1 x 1 inches blocks. Don't try for perfection, because it won't happen. Just as long as the noodles are sticking together it will work out fine.
• Now drudge the mac and cheese ball into the flour mixture, then egg, then breadcrumbs, and place on a pan.
• Continue the process until you have created as many mac and cheese balls as you wish.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, depending upon how crusty you like them. And remember to flip the balls around every 10 minutes to make sure all sides cook evenly.
• Enjoy!

BAKED GNOCCHI MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float to the top, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole dish.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until incorporated and foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, cream, salt, and pepper; stir constantly until thickened and gently bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese and mozzarella.
• Drop gnocchi into the prepared casserole dish and cover with cheese mixture. Mix together bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl; sprinkle over the casserole. Top with remaining Cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top is browned and cheese is bubbling, about 20 minutes.

YUMMIEST EVER BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cook pasta according to pasta directions just until done - you don't want it mushy, because it will absorb a little of the cheesy liquid in the oven.
• Combine soup, evaporated milk, butter, salt, and pepper in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small vent, and cook for 6-7 minutes until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm-to-hot throughout. (If making a half batch, 4 minutes in the microwave should do it).
• In a large baking dish (minimum 9x13, smaller if halving the recipe), spread 1/3 of the cooked noodles. Top with 1/3 of the sauce. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheddar.
• Repeat layers twice, ending with the cheese.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes.
• When it comes out of the oven, sprinkle with a little dried parsley if desired. This gives it visual interest, and you can also pretend it's healthier.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

FRENCH ONION BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just slightly softened, about 6 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with the thyme, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until dark brown, about 20 minutes. Add the wine and bouillon cube and stir to dissolve the bouillon. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, mustard powder and cayenne. Cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to boil and thicken, about 7 minutes; remove from the heat. Stir in the Cheddar and 2 cups of the Gruyere until fully melted. Stir in the pasta, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to make a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Brush a 9-by-13-inch metal baking dish with the melted butter. Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Top with the onion mixture in an even layer, then cover with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere.
• Bake until heated through and just bubbling, about 20 minutes. Top with the French fried onions and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with the chives before serving.