Best 8 Cheesy Baked Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Are you craving a mouthwatering and comforting dish that will warm your soul on a chilly evening? Look no further than the realm of cheesy baked mac n cheese. This classic comfort food has taken the culinary world by storm, capturing hearts and taste buds alike with its creamy, gooey cheese sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and crispy golden-brown topping. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just embarking on your kitchen adventures, this guide will take you on a journey to discover the best recipe for cheesy baked mac n cheese, ensuring a culinary masterpiece that will impress family and friends alike.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

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

CHEESY BAKED MAC N CHEESE



Cheesy Baked Mac N Cheese image

I was looking for a Baked Mac N Cheese recipe that was super creamy, so I modified a few recipes and came up with this one, and it turned out great!

Provided by anniekatesnavely

Categories     High In...

Time 1h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 (16 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups milk

Steps:

  • In a big pot, melt the butter.
  • Slowly whisk in the flour until the mixture is combined and smooth.
  • Add in salt, pepper, minced garlic, and worcestershire sauce - whisk until incorporated.
  • Gradually whisk in half & half and milk.
  • Continue to whisk and cook for another 5 minutes until mixture thickens.
  • Gradually add in the sharp cheddar cheese, stir until combined.
  • Gradually add in extra sharp cheddar cheese, stir until combined.
  • Continue to stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes until mixture thickens.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Mix together the cheese sauce with the already cooked pasta in a 13x9 casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with more grated cheese.
  • Bake in the oven at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497.8, Fat 30.1, SaturatedFat 18.8, Cholesterol 90.7, Sodium 501.9, Carbohydrate 36.8, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.4, Protein 19.9

CHEESY MAC & CHEESE



Cheesy Mac & Cheese image

Everyone comes home for dinner when I make this homemade macaroni and cheese. It also receives great compliments at potlucks. -Debra Sult, Chandler, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour, cream, half-and-half, sour cream, egg, mustard, cayenne, salt, pepper and nutmeg until smooth., Drain pasta. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Stir in cubed cheeses. Top with cream mixture. Sprinkle with shredded cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 350° until bubbly and golden brown, 30-40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 563 calories, Fat 43g fat (28g saturated fat), Cholesterol 172mg cholesterol, Sodium 648mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

CRISPY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Crispy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
Kosher salt
8 ounces mini penne pasta
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 bay leaf
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 cups grated gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the bay leaf, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and whisk in the monterey jack, gruyere and cheddar one cheese at a time, allowing each cheese to melt before adding more. Add the pasta and stir until coated, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen (the sauce will thicken as it bakes).
  • Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Add the panko, parmesan and a pinch of salt; stir to combine. Scatter over the pasta and bake until the crumbs are browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.

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.

CLASSIC CREAMY OVEN-BAKED MAC N' CHEESE



Classic Creamy Oven-Baked Mac N' Cheese image

This Mac N' Cheese is a great side dish for any meal! You will love the richness of this easy recipe for this old favorite. It is a wonderful Southern Comfort Food!!!

Provided by Ms Leah

Categories     Christmas

Time 1h20m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups elbow macaroni (cooked according to package directions)
1/2 cup butter (softened) or 1/2 cup margarine (softened)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded colby-monterey jack cheese
2 cups shredded Velveeta cheese (or 16oz. cut into pieces)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
optional** garlic and herb breadcrumbs (for topping)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • grease a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
  • cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
  • in a large bowl or pot, pour in hot macaroni and add butter and all cheese, mix well.
  • with a wire whisk, beat together eggs, evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper.
  • add to bowl/pot with macaroni and cheeses and mix well.
  • pour mixture into greased casserole dish.
  • (optional) sprinkle bread crumbs over top.
  • cover with foil.
  • place into preheated (350 degrees) oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
  • uncover the last few minutes just to toast the breadcrumbs on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Fat 32.3, SaturatedFat 19.6, Cholesterol 127.8, Sodium 530.1, Carbohydrate 28.2, Fiber 1, Sugar 1.9, Protein 19.4

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.

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

This recipe, inspired by Stouffer's macaroni and cheese, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that's slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don't soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness.

Provided by Eric Kim

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5 1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
  • To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese that melts well. A combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan is a classic choice.
  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Do not overcook it, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Make sure the sauce is thick enough to coat the macaroni. If it is too thin, it will not hold its shape in the oven.
  • Add your favorite mix-ins to the macaroni and cheese. Some popular options include cooked bacon, diced ham, peas, and broccoli.
  • Top the macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping for a crispy crust.
  • Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly.

Conclusion:

Cheesy baked mac n' cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be easily customized to your own taste. Whether you like it simple or loaded with mix-ins, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give macaroni and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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