Baked Macaroni and Cheese made with “extra” cheese is that creamy goodness that you’ve been craving. Perfect size to indulge, or big enough to share!
If you love the taste of this simple macaroni and cheese recipe, make certain that you whip up a batch of these homemade baked beans as well. These two recipes combined make a powerhouse lunch!
I’m really not exaggerating when I say that this is my favorite way to cook up macaroni and cheese. Not only do I love just how creamy the texture is but I also really do love the taste as well.
Because once you start reading the recipe below, you’ll see that it’s loaded down with cheese. And not just any cheese but oodles and gobs of mozzarella and mild cheddar cheeses, which we all know are two of the best.
And I’d be lying if I don’t admit that sometimes…I sneak in a couple more handfuls of cheese along the way as well because…well…cheese. In my book, there’s literally no such thing as having “too much cheese” in a recipe.
With how the family and kids run to the table once the timer dings in the oven, I’d say it’s a safe bet that they’re pretty fond of the recipe as well.
I’ve even doubled up on this recipe and had some stored in the fridge for leftovers which worked out really great for a quick weeknight dinner or snack.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE
If you find yourself scratching your head and wondering what a good side dish recipe for dinner is, this is the one you need. It literally goes perfectly with everything and can even stand on its own as a meal without issues!
I’d totally by lying if I didn’t admit that a giant bowl of mac and cheese and a book sounds like a great way to lie low and chill for the night.
Are you in a rush? Scroll down to the bottom of this page and grab the full printable recipe card. It has all of our tips and tricks and notes for this recipe. If you’re not in a rush, then definitely keep reading!
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED
- Mild cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Milk
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Flour
- Parsley to garnish
- Elbow macaroni
STEP BY STEP PHOTOS
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook noodles until slightly tender but not fully cooked. About 7 minutes. Drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk for about 1-2 minutes until slightly brown.
- Next, add milk and continue to whisk occasionally for 6 minutes.
- Add cheese and stir well to combine. Remove from heat. Add to noodles.
- Pour into an 8×8 or 9×13 baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Place the broiler on high and move the macaroni and cheese to the top of the oven.
- Carefully watch as the cheese starts to brown and then remove.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
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BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE FAQS
What happens if I overcook my noodles?
You have to be really careful as this will happen. And honestly, once you’ve overcooked them, there really isn’t a whole lot that you can do. BUT, I will say that the flavoring of this recipe will still make your noodles taste good, even if they do happen to be slightly overcooked.
Can you add other cheeses to this recipe as well?
For sure! Cheese it up! If you like a little heat, adding in some shredded pepper jack cheese could be a totally fun kick! Or even some smokey gouda cheese as well!
If you have any other fun recipe ideas for this baked macaroni and cheese recipe, leave it below in the comments. We’re always looking for feedback or great ideas for all of you!
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
If you love this easy macaroni recipe as much as we do, you might also enjoy these other recipes, too!
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Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups mild cheddar
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 2 cups milk
- 5 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp flour
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook noodles until slightly tender but not fully cooked. About 7 minutes.Drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for about 1-2 minutes until slightly brown. Add milk and continue to whisk occasionally for 6 minutes. Add cheese and stir well to combine. Remove from heat.
- Stir in noodles and then pour into an 8×8 or 9×13 baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Place the broiler on high and move the macaroni and cheese to the top of the oven.
- Carefully watch as the cheese starts to brown and then remove.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Store remaining leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
