Baked Mac and Cheese

There are few things in life better than a good mac and cheese recipe! This one is not only perfectly cheesy and creamy, but it also passed the “picky kid” test. After one bite, Madelyn declared, “This is SO good!” I have to agree – this is decadent, deeply flavorful & delicious.

Perfect for any occasion, whether it be after a hectic day at work, or a festive dinner like Easter, Christmas or Thanksgiving! With only 6 ingredients, you guys will love this baked macaroni and cheese just as much as we do!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Delicious! It’s cheesy, creamy, and so tasty. The ultimate comfort food and quite possibly the best homemade mac & cheese!
• Versatile. This side pairs perfectly with so many main entrees! Serve alongside anything from chicken and steak to pork chops. And, of course, be sure this has a place on the table during the holidays. It goes great alongside this slow cooker ham!
• Family-friendly. This easy and tasty cheesy pasta recipe will be loved by everyone. Kids and adults can’t get enough!
• Easy to make. This is a simple and easy recipe that will be on the dinner table in 40 minutes. Other than grating the cheese, it’s pretty effortless.

Ingredients needed

You only need 6 ingredients to make this incredible macaroni and cheese recipe! Here’s the lineup:

• Macaroni noodles. We like classic elbow macaroni, but feel free to use any favorite short pasta. Gluten-free noodles work too!
• Butter. A bit of butter is melted in the bottom of the dish and then also layered with noodles and cheese.
• Cheddar cheese. A must when making mac and cheese!
• Muenster cheese. The combination of cheddar and muenster gives this dish the best flavor!
• Heavy whipping cream. For ultra decadence!
• Eggs. We use 3 eggs to hold all of the ingredients together.

How to make this recipe

This is one of the easiest baked macaroni and cheese recipes I’ve seen! Here’s a rundown of the steps, but you’ll find the full recipe at the bottom of the post.

1. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water about 1 minute less than the package instructions for al dente. After cooking, drain.
2. Melt butter in the bottom of a large casserole dish in the preheating oven.
3. Layer half of the cooked macaroni over the butter in the dish.
4. Layer with half of the cheddar and muenster and then add a few pats of butter on top. Add the remaining noodles, cheese, and a few more pats of butter.
5. Whisk the eggs in the whipping cream and pour it over the entire casserole.
6. Bake at 375ºF for about 20-25 minutes. When fully cooked, it should be thick and not runny. Mine is typically cooked in 20 minutes.
7. Serve. Taste and add salt & pepper as needed. You can even add a little hot sauce to cut the richness.

Tips for success

A few notes for the best baked mac & cheese!

• We do not recommend pre-shredded cheese, but instead shredding your own cheese from a block of cheese. It will melt much better and have more flavor.
• Heavy whipping cream will make for the richest, creamiest sauce. However, you can make this recipe with whole milk with good results.
• For best results, serve shortly after baking. The dish is nice and creamy straight from the oven, but as it sits and cools the fats will naturally harden and become less smooth.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

If you want to shake things up and take this classic macaroni and cheese to the next level, try dressing up your dish with some other delicious ingredients!

• Breadcrumbs. Combine about 1 cup of bread crumbs and 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl. Sprinkle over top of the pasta just before baking.
• Ritz crackers. Combine 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl. Sprinkle over top just before baking.
• Bacon bits. Cook about 4-5 slices of bacon. Cut the cooked bacon into small bits and stir into the macaroni noodles before layering the noodles into the baking dish.

Serving suggestions

I personally like to enjoy this as a side dish, but my kids often eat it as a main course! For the holidays, we serve it with a feast: dressing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey and pie! Here are some entree and side dish suggestions to pair with this:

• Easy Meatloaf
• Roasted Broccoli
• Perfect Baked Chicken
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Pulled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Ham
• Best Deviled Eggs

Storage recommendations

• Storing. Store this in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days (if it lasts that long!).
• Reheating. You can reheat it using the microwave to save time, but I would recommend heating it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 375ºF. This will help it get that creamy cheesiness back without drying out. If reheating in the microwave, stir in a little bit of milk or cream and microwave partially covered with a paper towel. Stir often as it reheats.
• Freezing. You can freeze baked mac and cheese, but recipes that contain a lot of dairy typically don’t do real well in the freezer. If you really want to freeze it, I recommend assembling the dish, baking it at 425ºF for just long enough to get a little browning on top, letting it cool completely, then wrapping it and freezing for up to about 2 months or so.