Nothing says comfort food like a warm, creamy bowl of homemade mac and cheese.
Whether you’re serving it for a holiday, a family dinner, or just craving something cheesy and cozy, this baked version hits all the right notes. It’s gooey, flavorful, and loaded with real cheddar cheese.
✅ Why You’ll Love This Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Super cheesy: Features a rich, creamy cheese sauce plus layers of melty cheddar on top.
- Creamier than boxed or other recipes: Thanks to medium cheddar, which melts better and gives a smooth, velvety texture.
- Always a crowd favorite: It’s the first dish gone at parties, potlucks, and holiday dinners.
🧀 Ingredients for Baked Mac and Cheese
- 1 lb elbow macaroni (classic pasta shape for mac and cheese)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (plus more for greasing the baking dish)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening the cheese sauce)
- 5 cups whole milk or half-and-half (for extra creaminess)
- 1 1/2 lbs medium cheddar cheese, shredded (about 6 cups total)
- 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Paprika (optional, for a bit of color on top)
🛒 Tip: For an even richer flavor, you can mix in some Gruyère or Fontina with the cheddar.
👩🍳 How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese
1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the elbow macaroni and cook 2 minutes less than package directions (it will finish cooking in the oven).
- Drain and set aside.
3: Make the Cheese Sauce
- In the same pot, melt 6 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Add 1/4 cup flour, whisking until the mixture turns golden (about 1–2 minutes).
- Slowly add 5 cups milk or half-and-half, whisking to prevent lumps.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in 5 cups of shredded cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4: Assemble and Bake
- Mix the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Add half the mac and cheese to your prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with half the reserved cheese.
- Add the remaining mac and cheese and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Optional: Sprinkle paprika on top for extra color.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown in spots.
🔁 Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble the dish up to 2 days in advance. Cover with foil and refrigerate or freeze. When ready to bake, cook covered at 350°F for 20–30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Add a splash of milk to bring back creaminess, then microwave or warm on the stovetop.
🍴 What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese is a meal on its own, but it also pairs well with:
- Roast Turkey or Chicken
- Beef Tips with Gravy
- Oven-Roasted Broccoli
- Apple Bacon Slaw
- Sweet Cornbread or Dinner Rolls
❓ FAQs
You can, but it’s best to shred your own. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting, which can make the sauce grainy. For the creamiest texture, freshly grate your cheddar.
Besides medium cheddar, great melty options include Gruyère, Fontina, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack. You can even add a touch of Parmesan for a sharper kick.
Yes! Simply skip the baking step and serve it straight from the stovetop after combining the pasta with the cheese sauce. This method is quicker and just as creamy.
Absolutely. Assemble the dish, let it cool, and wrap it tightly in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and follow the make-ahead baking instructions in the article.
Definitely! Popular toppings include:
– Buttery breadcrumbs
– Crushed Ritz crackers
– Crispy bacon bits
– Parmesan cheese
Add them before baking for a crispy golden top.
🧁 Conclusion
Homemade mac and cheese is a timeless classic that never goes out of style. Whether you’re making it for a holiday dinner, a potluck, or a cozy night in, this baked version is rich, creamy, and full of real cheddar flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to the boxed kind again. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy.
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half, a little at a time, until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 5 cups of shredded cheddar, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully melted.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated.
- Spread half of the mac and cheese into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with half of the reserved cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese. Top with paprika if using.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Serve warm.