While you are here, don’t miss to check out the crispy garlic oven-roasted potatoes and the best broccoli cheddar soup.
The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese - American Food
Mac and cheese is one of the popular American foods which is now world famous. All the buffet lunches and dinners at restaurants I visited in the United States had mac and cheese as a common dish. You will see millions of recipes online, and there is no right or wrong. Every family or individual has their own way of making it. This is what my family loves, and I have been following this recipe for a long time now. The best mac and cheese recipe you will make. The sauce is made on the stovetop, mixed with pasta, and baked. So this is a stovetop, oven-baked version of mac and cheese. I have used three combinations of cheese (which keeps changing based on what is available in my pantry), homemade cheese sauce, and topped with bread crumbs, Parmesan, and butter. The bread crumbs and Parmesan topping give your dish a crunch and make it super tasty. Macaroni au gratin is a fancy way of saying this classic mac and cheese. A perfect recipe for weekday dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or even lunch boxes.
Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Macaroni: Traditionally used pasta to make mac and cheese. If unavailable, use any tubular pasta. Cheese: A star ingredient that makes your macaroni cheesy, creamy, and rich. Use any cheese that is available in your pantry. Some of the best cheeses include cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, mozzarella, pepper jack, gruyere, smoked gouda, swiss, monterey jack, colby jack, or even American and Velveeta for a creamier cheese sauce. Milk: Help make a cheesy sauce to coat the pasta. Butter: For flavor and richness. Flour: To create roux. Thickening agent for your sauce. Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, mustard powder, or any seasonings of your choice. See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make mac and cheese?
If you are a beginner or want to try this creamy cheese macaroni and cheese, you will have to follow these simple steps.
Tips to make homemade best mac and cheese recipe
Grate or Shred Cheese: Block cheese works best for mac and cheese. For satisfying and rich flavors, always use a combination of different cheeses. In the recipe below, I have used Cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan cheese. You can also include cheeses like mozzarella, pepper jack, gruyere gouda, swiss, monterey jack, colby jack. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions (to ensure you don’t get soggy mac and cheese), drain and drizzle the pasta with olive oil, and stir to coat the pasta. I have used Elbow Macaroni. Feel free to use any tubular pasta for the recipe. Make Roux: While pasta is cooking, in a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and continue to whisk on medium heat for a minute until it is bubbly and golden. Make Sauce: Add cold milk, cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, whisk, and continue cooking on medium heat for another 2 to 4 minutes. Add half of the shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. The sauce will be thick and smooth. Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta and stir until the pasta is coated nicely in the cheese sauce. Bake Macaroni and Cheese: Pour half of the macaroni and cheese onto the baking dish. Top remaining shredded cheese followed by remaining mac and cheese. Prepare the Panko Parmesan Topping: In a small bowl, combine butter, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle all over the mac and cheese. Bake this for about 25 to 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Stovetop mac and cheese
If you do not want to bake the pasta, it is completely ok. Cook the pasta until al dente. After making roux and adding milk and cream, Instead of adding half the cheese, add all the cheese to the sauce and mix. Toss the pasta. Serve and enjoy.
Make ahead
Once you arrange the pasta in the baking dish, do not bake. Tightly cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. Let it sit on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes before baking. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Store
Any leftover macaroni and cheese can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days. But remember, the creaminess will be less. It is creamy and cheesy only when it is freshly baked.
More easy and simple pasta recipes
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Recipe card
