Best 7 Lazy Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our collection of easy and delicious macaroni and cheese recipes. From the classic baked macaroni and cheese to creative variations like the bacon and jalapeño mac and cheese, we have something for every taste. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion side dish, our macaroni and cheese recipes are sure to satisfy. Our recipes include detailed instructions, helpful tips, and beautiful photos to guide you through the cooking process. Get ready to experience the cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese like never before!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese image

The BEST Homemade Mac and Cheese of your LIFE. Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I used three different cheese and a homemade cheese sauce to take this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top.

Provided by Trish - Mom On Timeout

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 13

16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked ((or other tubular pasta))
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/3 cup all purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
4 tbsp butter (melted)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
1/4 tsp smoked paprika ((or regular paprika))

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside.Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl.
  • Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.
  • Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot.
  • Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes. Whisk in salt and pepper.
  • Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick.
  • Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
  • Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese.
  • In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 642 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 41 g, SaturatedFat 24 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 550 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for the dish
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni with ridges
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups milk
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
  • For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
  • For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'

Provided by Meredith

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package macaroni
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
  • Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

This baked mac and cheese - perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish - is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield Serves 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 1/2 cups half and half
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups)
3 ounces gruyere cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
  • Heat the half-and-half and cayenne in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the butter and a sprinkle of salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE - NOT LOW FAT!



Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Not Low Fat! image

Combined a few recipes together and this is the BEST I came up with. Cheesy - Creamy Crusty top and easy to reheat with putting a little bit more milk into and on top of the leftovers and covering with foil putting back into the oven for 1/2 hour

Provided by Cathy Pete

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 50m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb medium shell macaroni noodles
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
1 egg, beaten
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 lb processed cheese, cut into cubes like Velveeta cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Boil noodles according to package.
  • After noodles are drained and have cooled for a few minutes, put them in a big bowl and mix with beaten egg.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease 9x13 pan.
  • In a pan cook butter, salt, pepper, ground mustard and flour and stir until smooth.
  • Remove from heat add milk, return to heat and bring to a boil.
  • Boil 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat and add cheeses, stir until melted.
  • Pour over noodles that are in a bowl stir, pour into greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and crusty!

THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



The Easiest Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2-3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 cups milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter in microwave.
  • Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
  • Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
  • Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
  • Add milk. Do not stir.
  • Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE III



Baked Macaroni and Cheese III image

This dish will make your guest beg for seconds.

Provided by TWINBABY2Q

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
½ cup evaporated milk
2 eggs
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a bowl mix milk, eggs, sour cream, seasoning salt, and pepper. Layer macaroni, cheddar cheese, and milk mixture until pan is full. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and pour melted butter on top.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until milk mixture is done.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.2 calories, Carbohydrate 37.4 g, Cholesterol 75.2 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 15.1 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 306.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly impact the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Use a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Fontina.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: This means that the macaroni should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will become mushy in the baked macaroni and cheese.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming too thin and runny.
  • Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream.
  • Season the cheese sauce: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add other ingredients to the cheese sauce, such as cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or chopped green onions.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs will add a crispy topping to the baked macaroni and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
  • Bake until golden brown: Bake the macaroni and cheese until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. This will usually take about 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Lazy baked macaroni and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make comfort food. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a cheesy, creamy, and satisfying dish that the whole family will love. Follow these tips to make the best lazy baked macaroni and cheese: use a good quality cheese, cook the macaroni al dente, make a roux, use milk or cream, season the cheese sauce, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden brown.

Related Topics