The Best Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Updated 16 June, 2024

This rich and creamy macaroni and cheese is, honestly, my husband’s favourite comfort food. The cheese sauce is so creamy and delicious! One of those great dinners you can make ahead and bake when you need it. You will be making this mac and cheese over and over!

Mac and cheese is one of those foods that pretty much everyone has had, and universally everyone loves. Young and old!

This macaroni and cheese bake is rich, decadent, and full of cheesy flavour. The silky smooth sauce is complimented perfectly with the delicate crisp, crumbly, crust on top!

How to make the best macaroni and cheese bake

• Use a combination of cheese. There is no perfect cheese combination for the best macaroni and cheese, but using good quality cheese, a cheese that melts well, and a cheese that you like the flavour of is all you need. (Check below for my favourite cheese!)
• No pre shredded cheese. This type of cheese has cellulose added in, which helps the cheese not clump back together in the package. However, this will affect the sauce and will leave you with a grainy texture that will not taste as cheesy. Nor will you have that silky smooth texture.

• Undercooking the pasta. I despise mushy pasta. For this macaroni and cheese bake, you cook the pasta twice. Remove the pasta 1 minute underdone, from the boiling water. It will finish cooking in the oven.

• Amount of sauce. When you first combine the sauce and noodles in the casserole dish, it is going to look like you have way too much sauce, but as it cooks down in the oven it will become perfect. If you do not have the perfect ratio of sauce to noodles, the pasta bake will end up being dry and everything will stick together in a clump.

• The crust! The added flavour and texture this crisp, crumbly, cheesy topping brings to this recipe elevates it and makes it so much better!

What cheese to use for macaroni and cheese

I used a mix of sharp cheddar, Dubliner (or a Swiss cheese like Gruyère), and mozzarella). The sharp cheddar adds that full bodied classic cheese flavour. The Swiss cheese adds an amazing nutty flavour, and the mozzarella adds the creamy stringy cheese everyone loves to see!

Cheese varieties worth considering for the best macaroni and cheese bake!

• Gruyère– This cheese is slightly sweet, nutty, and salty. An amazing choice for macaroni and cheese.
• Cheddar– This is, perhaps, the most popular choice for macaroni and cheese. There are many varieties of this popular cheese marble, mild, sharp, and aged cheddars, to name a few. All would be ideal choices.
• Asiago– Use this as part of a cheese blend. Asiago is a delicious hard cheese, similar to parmesan. It is frequently melted on top.
• Mozzarella – This, very mild flavoured cheese, is perfect if you want a very subtle cheese flavour for your pasta. It also adds that stringy cheese pull!
• Gouda– This cheeses sweet, light, buttery flavour is an excellent choice, as it melts well. Try smoked gouda, for a slightly different flavour.
• Provolone – This is a great semi-hard cheese. It has buttery, nutty flavours and can range from sharp to milk depending on the variety you choose.

Storage

Fridge

Keep leftover macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Note The sauce will thicken as it sits in the fridge. Adding a drizzle of milk or cream to the dish will give the sauce that fresh creamy texture.

Freezer

Macaroni and cheese is a great make ahead meal that you can store in the freezer for later.

For the perfect freezer storage of this macaroni and cheese bake

• Assemble the recipe in the ovenproof dish
• Leave off the bread crumb and cheese topper
• Cover tightly in plastic wrap
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months
• When ready to cook, place the breadcrumbs and cheese on top
• Cover with foil and place in a preheated 400 ºF (200 ºC) oven for 1 hour.
• Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes to brown the curst.

How to make macaroni and cheese

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni noodles 225 g

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter 60 g

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 2.5 ml

3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour 45 ml

½ teaspoon dry mustard powder 2.5 ml

1 teaspoon paprika 5 ml

3 cups milk 750 ml

4 cups shredded cheese 200 g

Salt and pepper (to taste)

1 ½ cups breadcrumbs. 100 g

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 25 g

Method

1. Cook macaroni about a minute shy of the package directions
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 ºF (180 ºC).
3. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Whisk in flour to make a roux.
5. While still whisking, slowly add in the milk.
6. Stir to break up any lumps. When the sauce starts to bubble it will thicken.
7. Sprinkle in the garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes as it thickens.
8. Remove from heat.
9. Add in half of the cheese. Stir to melt.
10. Add in the rest of the cheese. Stir to melt.
11. Stir in the undercooked and drained pasta.
12. Pour into a greased ovenproof dish.
13. Cover the top evenly with breadcrumbs.
14. Sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese
15. Bake at 350 ºF (180 ºC) for 30 minutes or until golden on top.

Macaroni and cheese variations

Healthier macaroni and cheese

My favourite thing to add into macaroni and cheese is butternut squash purée. I love the added sweet nutty flavour! Plus it is a great way to sneak added nutrition into a picky-eater’s meal!

Meat lovers macaroni and cheese

Crumbled bacon is a great add in. When we make it with crumbled bacon, I add a little diced tomato after it has come out of the oven. The tomatoes are better firm and uncooked.

Mac and cheese with pulled pork. After it comes out of the oven, place warm pulled pork with barbecue sauce on top! Now that’s a gourmet meal!

Kids favourite macaroni and cheese

Of course, the childhood classic. I don’t know if this was a thing in your family, but it sure was in mine! Macaroni and cheese with cut up hotdogs in side! (This continues to be my husbands favourite way to eat Macaroni and Cheese)

What is your favourite way to eat macaroni and cheese?

Looking for more cozy comfort food meals? Try one of these! The Best Tomato Soup Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes, The Best Classic Beef Stroganoff, Dreamy Cinnamon Roll Apple Bake

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