Best 8 The Best Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese Recipes

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**Macaroni and cheese**, a classic dish enjoyed by people of all ages, is a delectable combination of tender pasta, creamy cheese sauce, and a golden-brown crust. This versatile dish can be easily customized to suit different tastes and dietary preferences, making it a favorite among home cooks and restaurant chefs alike. Whether you prefer a traditional baked mac and cheese with a crunchy breadcrumb topping or a lighter version with fresh vegetables, there's a recipe out there to satisfy your cravings. In this article, we present a collection of the best homemade baked mac and cheese recipes, each with its own unique twist. From the classic stovetop method to slow-cooker and air-fryer variations, these recipes offer a variety of options to suit your cooking style and time constraints. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience.**

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

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 HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

This recipe was given to me by my friend Katie. It's a longtime favorite in her family.

Provided by Jody

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

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup butter, melted
1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Turn off heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted. Add the macaroni and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.1 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 133.1 mg, Fat 49.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 28.9 g, Sodium 1011.5 mg, Sugar 9.8 g

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Baked Mac and Cheese image

Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. -Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup butter, divided
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4-1/2 cups 2% milk
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 689 calories, Fat 37g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 834mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.

THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



The Best Baked Mac and Cheese image

A blend of three cheeses delivers a punch of flavor in this creamy mac and cheese. Toasted breadcrumbs give a crunchy texture contrast.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
Half a loaf day-old French bread
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
3 cups milk
8 ounces fontina cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
8 ounces Gruyere, grated (about 2 cups)
1 pound sharp yellow Cheddar, grated (about 4 cups)

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.
  • Meanwhile, remove the crusts from the bread and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pulse in the food processor until the bread breaks into bean-sized pieces.
  • Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until toasted, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan 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 and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to boil and thicken, about 7 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the fontina, Gruyere and all but 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar 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 glass or ceramic baking dish with the melted butter. Spread the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar evenly over the pasta, then scatter the toasted breadcrumbs on top. Bake until heated through and just bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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

BEST BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE EVER!



Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ever! image

After being dissatisfied with many macaroni and cheese recipes, I experimented and came up with my own. Everyone that has tried it simply raves about it... I don't mean to toot my own horn but beep beep! (Serves 4)

Provided by AinsleyRose

Categories     Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 (8 ounce) container refrigerated sharp cheese spread (if you can't find it, Cheese Whiz is an okay substitute but really go for the sharp spread)
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8-1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt (depends how salt sensitive you are)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 -2 dash cayenne pepper
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup Velveeta cheese (in small cubes)
2 -3 slices American cheese (reserve for topping casserole)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs or 1/4 cup cracker crumb

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Cook macaroni just until al dente and drain, set aside.
  • While pasta is boiling, melt the butter in a large saucepan.
  • Whisk in the flour over medium heat until smooth & bubbly (only about a minute).
  • Stir in evaporated milk, cheese spread, pepper, mustard, seasoned salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper Keep cooking and stirring over medium heat until sauce has thickened (about 3 or 4 minutes).
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and Velveeta to the white sauce and stir just until cheeses have melted.
  • Add macaroni and stir until pasta is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
  • Pour into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam.
  • Arrange cheese slices on top, sprinkle with cracker crumbs and dot somewhat generously with butter.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is nice and golden and casserole is heated through.
  • Let stand about 5 minutes before serving and enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



How To Make The Best Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing says comfort like a homemade baked mac and cheese. Our favorite version is made with a luscious and creamy sauce that pools in the pasta shells for the ultimate cheesy feel-good food.

Provided by Aleya Zenieris

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
8 oz dried pasta shells
10 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 oz american cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 large egg
2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package (you want the pasta to have a slight bite; it will finish cooking while it bakes).
  • In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces shredded cheddar with the American cheese and cornstarch. Use your fingers to gently toss until all of the cheese is coated.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. As the butter begins to sizzle, add the mustard powder and cayenne and stir to combine. Toast the spices until the butter turns golden brown, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until the milk begins to simmer, with small bubbles rapidly rising to the surface, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then temper it by slowly adding in spoonfuls of the simmering milk mixture while continuing to whisk until incorporated.
  • Slowly drizzle the tempered egg back into the milk mixture, whisking vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheddar cheese mixture, a small handful at a time, whisking between each addition to make sure the cheese melts evenly (mix quickly enough that the mixture does not cool too rapidly, but slowly enough that the emulsion does not break).
  • Add the cooked pasta to the pot and gently fold to coat with the sauce, then season with 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the pasta and sauce into an 8-inch square baking dish with 2-inch-high sides (at this point, the pasta can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days).
  • In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces of cheddar cheese, the mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the pasta.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until the cheese is melted and beginning to bubble around the edges, about 20 minutes. Turn the broiler on high and broil the mac and cheese until the cheese begins to brown all over, about 5 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes for the sauce set and cool slightly.
  • Serve warm.
  • Enjoy!

"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE



We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!

Provided by Sageca

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

cheese sauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups 1% low-fat milk
14 ounces white medium cheddar, grated
2 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1 ounce asiago cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
pasta
12 ounces macaroni
salt for pasta water
2 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces gruyere, grated
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
  • Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
  • The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
  • Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
  • Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
  • When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
  • Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
  • Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
  • Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
  • Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cheese: A combination of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan is a classic choice, but you can experiment with different types of cheese to create your own unique flavor. Try a combination of Gruyère, Emmental, and Gouda for a more nutty flavor, or add a little bit of blue cheese for a more pungent flavor.
  • Use a good quality pasta: The type of pasta you use will also affect the final flavor of your mac and cheese. Look for a pasta that is firm and will hold its shape well, such as elbow macaroni or penne.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and will not hold its shape well in the mac and cheese.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce that will coat the pasta evenly.
  • Use milk and cream: The combination of milk and cream creates a rich and flavorful sauce. You can use all milk, all cream, or a combination of the two. If you are using all cream, be sure to add a little bit of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce.
  • Season the sauce: Be sure to season the sauce with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or nutmeg, to taste.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a crispy texture to the mac and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs. If you are using plain breadcrumbs, be sure to toast them in a little bit of butter before adding them to the mac and cheese.

Conclusion:

Homemade baked mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple tips, you can make a mac and cheese that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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