Oven-baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, with a variety of ingredients that can be added to create different flavor profiles. Whether you prefer a creamy and cheesy mac and cheese, or one with a crispy, golden-brown crust, there is a recipe out there to suit your taste. This article will provide you with information on how to create the perfect oven-baked mac and cheese, from selecting the best ingredients to following step-by-step instructions. So grab your apron and get ready to create a delicious and satisfying meal that will surely be a hit with your family and friends.
Here are our top 17 tried and tested recipes!
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
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
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.
CRISPY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
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
Get Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Good Eats on Food Network, a classic recipe made with cheddar cheese and topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories side-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the 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 casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
- Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
In classic Southern style, this is a baked mac and cheese set in a light egg custard and flavored with sharp yellow Cheddar. Creamy and moist, it bridges the gap between those who like their mac and cheese sliceable and those who prefer to spoon it, oozing, from the pot.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender, about 7 minutes; strain well. Transfer the macaroni to a large bowl, add the butter and toss to coat.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Add the milk-egg mixture to the macaroni; add the Cheddar and stir until it is evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
- Bake until the custard is set and the top is browned and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes.
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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.
MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This is a macaroni and cheese I first made 3 years ago when I was in California. When I got back to Texas I made it for my mom. This is now her favorite baked macaroni and cheese. She begs me to make it when I come to visit.
Provided by GEPETTO_69
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 100.1 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 1194 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
BAKED MAC & CHEESE FOR TWO
"I have added other ingredients like turkey, broccoli and cauliflower, to make this a full meal. The possibilities are endless!" Denise Hash, Billings, MT
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
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.
Nutrition Facts :
BAKED HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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
OLD FASHIONED BAKED MAC 'N CHEESE
Most requested recipe for me to bring to a potluck or family reunion. I received it from my husband's aunt in the 1960s and has since been my favorite dish. The recipe may be halved for a 9 x 9 inch baking dish.
Provided by Seasoned Cook
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE I
This is a delicious variation on macaroni cheese. While it may be slightly more difficult than other recipes it tastes even better!
Provided by Abbey Robb
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
- In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
- In a medium skillet saute the chopped onion, and minced garlic. Take off heat and add chopped cooked bacon and set aside.
- To make the sauce, in a medium saucepan melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually add milk and continue stirring until thickened. Stir in 2 cups of the grated Cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Combine cooked pasta, sauteed vegetables and sauce. Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish. Add the last cup of grated Cheddar cheese to top of mixture.
- Bake uncovered in preheated oven until cheese on top is melted and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 569.5 calories, Carbohydrate 43.9 g, Cholesterol 95.2 mg, Fat 31.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 28.2 g, SaturatedFat 19.2 g, Sodium 580.3 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
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
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
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
THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE
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
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
CLASSIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: unsalted butter, all purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, whole milk, heavy cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, panko breadcrumbs
Provided by Next Level Chef on Fox
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a 9-inch square pan.
- Make the bread crumb topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and paprika with a fork until combined. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir until evenly coated in the butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is browned (if the top isn't browning, broil on high for 2-3 minutes).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 22 grams, Sugar 6 grams
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is a real rich and cheesy macaroni recipe, even if you use the lower fat options. Easy to bake in the oven and easier if you use the crock pot. Make sure you spray the crock pot well
Provided by mandabears
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 50m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook elbow macaroni as directed on package, drain well.
- Place macaroni in large bowl or the pot used for cooking it.
- Add melted butter, and evaporated milk.
- Mix in eggs, add cheese and mix well.
- Pour into 13 x 9 pan, greased, I spray mine with butter flavored cooking spray.
- Bake 30-40 minutes or until top is brown and bubbly.
- Another option: double the recipe, spray crockpot with butter flavored cooking spray and cook for 6-8 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 513.2, Fat 36.7, SaturatedFat 22.5, Cholesterol 177.4, Sodium 519.5, Carbohydrate 22.9, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 0.8, Protein 23.1
GRANDMA'S OVEN BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the Macaroni and Cheese that i grew up with. It is very easy to make and will add a delightful side dish to any meat such as Ham or Turkey. NOTE: When adding milk, do not make the noodles float.
Provided by Ray Clawson III
Categories Cheese
Time 39m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Boil 4-6 cups of water in a pot on the stove.
- Add 2 tsp salt.
- Add in 1 cup Elbow Macaroni noodles.
- Boil for 7 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- When finished boiling, pour macaroni into a strainer basket and then add to a 9"x9"x1.5" oven safe (preferably pyrex) dish.
- Scramble the egg, then add the egg to the 1 cup of milk.
- Add in salt and pepper, mix well.
- Add to macaroni the milk, egg, salt, pepper mixture (Ensure the noodles do not float).
- mix in 6-8 oz of cheese.
- Add the remaining cheese to the top. Try to cover all the noodles on top.
- Place dish in center rack in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Top layer of cheese should be slightly golden brown on the sides.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly and serve. May be microwaved for enjoyment again and again.
Tips:
- Use a quality cheese blend. A combination of sharp cheddar, gruyere, and fontina cheese will give you a rich, flavorful mac and cheese.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it's baked.
- Make a creamy béchamel sauce. This will help to bind the cheese together and make the mac and cheese smooth and creamy.
- Don't overcook the mac and cheese. It should be hot and bubbly, but not dry or crumbly.
- Add some extra flavor. You can add a variety of ingredients to your mac and cheese to give it more flavor, such as cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, or chopped vegetables.
Conclusion:
Oven-baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and cheesy dish that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give oven-baked mac and cheese a try.
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