Prepare for the best experience of homemade mac and cheese in your life! Treat yourself with this extremely cheesy, ultra-creamy goodness that’s topped with a crispy golden topping. This mac and cheese recipe is undoubtedly a keeper, featuring a blend of three different cheeses and a homemade cheese sauce that takes it over the top.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Mac and Cheese

✔ Super creamy & cheesy – A luscious cheese sauce coats every bite.
✔ Golden, crispy topping – Buttery breadcrumbs or extra cheese make it next-level.
✔ Perfect for any occasion – A cozy weeknight meal or a star at holiday feasts.
✔ Customizable – Add proteins, mix in different cheeses, or spice it up.
✔ Great for meal prep – Make ahead and bake when ready.

What Makes Baked Mac and Cheese Special?

The secret to the best baked mac and cheese lies in the cheese sauce and the topping.

The cheese sauce should be thick, creamy, and silky, made with butter, flour, milk, and real cheese—no artificial powders here!
The topping should be golden and crispy, adding the perfect contrast to the creamy pasta. Whether you go for buttery breadcrumbs, extra cheese, or crushed crackers, this crunchy layer takes baked mac and cheese to the next level.

INGREDIENTS:

Pasta
Onion
Garlic
Cream cheese
Heavy cream
Salt and pepper
Paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Butter
Flour
Gouda cheese
Yellow cheddar cheese
White cheddar cheese

Tips for the Best Baked Mac and Cheese

1. Use a blend of cheeses for the best flavor

The best mac and cheese has a mix of sharp cheddar (for bold flavor), mozzarella (for meltiness), Gruyère (for richness), or Gouda (for creaminess).

2. Cook pasta al dente

The pasta keeps cooking in the oven, so undercook it slightly to prevent mushiness.

3. Make a roux for a smooth cheese sauce

A roux (butter + flour) prevents the sauce from separating and keeps it creamy.

4. Grate your own cheese

Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.

5. Use heavy cream or whole milk for richness

A mix of milk and heavy cream gives the sauce a silky, decadent texture.

6. Don’t overbake

Bake just until bubbly to keep it creamy inside. Overbaking can dry out the sauce.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Bakeanna Recipes

Discover the versatility of Mac and Cheese with a baked twist that takes it to a whole new level! Baked mac and cheese, especially when topped with Panko, is my absolute favorite, and here's why – the topping! Elevate your experience as Parmesan, butter, and paprika mingle with Panko, creating a crispy, golden brown layer that adds irresistible texture to this amazing homemade mac and cheese. Get ready to savor each delightful bite!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 SERVINGS

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

450 g macaroni
1 onion finely chopped
4 garlic cloves finely minced
150 g cream cheese
4 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
8 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1/2 cup pasta water
230 g shredded gouda cheese
230 g shredded yellow cheddar cheese
230 g shredded white cheddar cheese

Instructions

In a saucepan, add in the heavy cream, cream cheese, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and mix. Let it simmer for a bit.
In another saucepan, add in the butter, chopped onion, mined garlic, flour and whisk them well. Add in the heavy cream sauce to this mixture and whisk well.
Add some pasta water, cheddar cheese and gouda cheese. Mix until melted.
Add in the cooked pasta and mix well.
Add in the pasta in the baking dish and top with extra cheese.
Bake at 180 degrees until top is golden brown.

Notes

Cook the pasta to a perfect al dente to avoid mushy noodles.
Shred your own cheese! Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that can keep them from clumping, which also makes it so they don’t melt smoothly.
Remove the sauce from the heat before adding the cheese to keep it from separating or getting grainy.
Do not overbake (or the mac and cheese will be dry). Once the macaroni is bubbling and heated and the topping is browned, you know it is ready. Everything is cooked, the baking is to meld the flavors and brown the topping.
Mac and cheese can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Keyword BAKED MAC AND CHEESE, CHEESE SAUCE, MAC AND CHEESE

If you’ve given this recipe a try and it won you over, please share your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! If you have any questions about this recipe, don’t hesitate to ask – I’m here to help and will respond promptly.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

5 from 23 reviews

Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Marination Time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 20 mins

Course

Appetizer

Cuisine

American

Servings

6 PIECES

Ingredients

450 g macaroni

1 onion

4 garlic cloves

150 g cream cheese

4 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

8 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1/2 cup pasta water

230 g shredded gouda cheese

230 g shredded yellow cheddar cheese

230 g shredded white cheddar cheese

Instructions

In a saucepan, add in the heavy cream, cream cheese, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and mix. Let it simmer for a bit.
In another saucepan, add in the butter, chopped onion, mined garlic, flour and whisk them well. Add in the heavy cream sauce to this mixture and whisk well.
Add some pasta water, cheddar cheese and gouda cheese. Mix until melted.
Add in the cooked pasta and mix well.
Add in the pasta in the baking dish and top with extra cheese.
Bake at 180 degrees until top is golden brown.

Keywords: simple green salad, green salad, everyday salad

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @_bakeanna on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Why You’ll Love This Baked Mac and Cheese

What Makes Baked Mac and Cheese Special?

INGREDIENTS:

Tips for the Best Baked Mac and Cheese