BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Bake Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe

Golden, gooey, and loaded with cheesy comfort, nothing says “home” quite like a warm dish of baked mac and cheese. It’s that cozy, feel-good meal that brings smiles to every table, whether it’s a weekday dinner or a holiday feast.

With its creamy sauce, crispy topping, and perfectly baked texture, this recipe turns a simple classic into a heartwarming favorite.

At Kitchen Mama, we love recipes that make you say, “Yes, I can!” This baked mac and cheese does exactly that, it’s easy to make, fun to prepare, and absolutely irresistible from the first bite to the last crumb.

Grab your favorite spatula, preheat that oven, and get ready to bake up some serious happiness.

Ingredients:

Pasta

  • 1 pound dried elbow pasta
  • 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1⁄2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1⁄2 cups whole milk
  • 2 1⁄2 cups half and half
  • 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 2 cups shredded monterey jack (divided)
  • 1⁄2 tablespoon salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika

Breadcrumb Topping

  • 1⁄4 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
Woman wearing the Kitchen Mama Oven Mitts and placing into the oven the Mac & Cheese

Directions:

  • Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 325°F and grease a 3- to 4-quart (deep 9x13") baking dish. Set aside.
  • Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than package directions for al dente. Drain and toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Prepare the Cheese: Shred cheddar and Monterey Jack, then toss to combine both cheeses. Divide into two portions (about 5 cups for the sauce and 1 cup for the topping).
  • Make the Sauce Base: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until sandy in texture. Slowly pour in half-and-half while whisking, then add remaining half-and-half and milk until smooth.
  • Thicken and Add Cheese: Continue heating until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, then stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and 5 cups of cheese until melted and smooth. Add cheese off the heat to melt smoothly and avoid graininess.
  • Mix the Topping: In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and garlic powder.
  • Assemble the Mac and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, use your WaltzGrip Scraping Spatula to combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce until fully coated. Pour into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and breadcrumb mixture.
  • Bake and Serve: Bake for 15-20 minutes, until bubbling and lightly golden on top. Remove with Kitchen Mama Silicone Oven Mitts and enjoy!

And there you have it, the ultimate baked mac and cheese! Creamy on the inside, crispy on top, and filled with love in every bite.

It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the kitchen the moment it’s out of the oven.Whether you’re serving it as the star of the show or a delicious side dish, this recipe is pure comfort made simple.

So go ahead, dish it up, share the love, and remember: with Kitchen Mama by your side, cooking comfort food is always easy, fun, and oh-so-cheesy! 🧀✨