Posted Aug 20, 2021, Updated Nov 11, 2024 With 6 kids, you can imagine we eat a lot of mac and cheese around here (a lot of mac & cheese). We have our favorite recipe for 15-minute homemade mac and cheese that we make all the time to replace boxed varieties, but I also love this baked mac and cheese recipe. It’s ultra creamy, irresistibly cheesy and makes a great main dish or side! The crunchy breadcrumb topping and the combination of ingredients (and their ratios) make this baked mac and cheese recipe extra special and delicious. Also, try these single-serving mac and cheese cups and crock pot mac and cheese.
Baked Mac and Cheese Ingredients & Substitutions
This recipe is made with simple ingredients, and we’ll discuss them in more detail as well as possible substitutions.
Elbow macaroni. If you don’t have elbows, I recommend using a shaped pasta (bowties, shells rotini, etc.) instead of spaghetti noodles, but they do work if it’s all you have. You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, etc. Salted butter. Unsalted butter is a good substitute. All-purpose flour. There are a few substitutions that work well for the flour including corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, and all-purpose gluten-free flour. Whole milk/half and half. this baked macaroni and cheese recipe calls for 3 cups of liquid dairy. I prefer full-fat dairy products because it makes this dish incredibly creamy. You can change the ratios and use more half and half than whole milk, or even use heavy cream if you want. The lowest fat percentage I suggest is 2% milk for part of the liquid dairy. Sour cream. I recommend full-fat sour cream. Full-fat Greek yogurt is a good substitute. Cheddar cheese. The quality of the cheese that you use in this recipe really matters. I recommend a high-quality medium to sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. I often use half sharp cheddar, half shredded gouda and it’s so, so good. Panko breadcrumbs. Any breadcrumbs work in this recipe, I like the crunchy texture of panko. I explain how to make your own in the recipe card.
How to Make Baked Mac & Cheese
Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to make baked mac and cheese, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Cook the Macaroni
Begin this recipe by cooking the macaroni according to the package instructions (or whichever shape noodle you choose). Be sure to add salt to the water used to boil the noodles. Drain, and set aside. When it’s done drain the pasta, but do not rinse.
Make the Topping
While the macaroni is cooking, make the topping by mixing the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.
Make the Cheese Sauce
Then, (also while the noodles are cooking) make the cheese sauce. This sauce is thickened by first making a roux. To do this, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the flour and sea salt and whisk to combine. Cook the roux for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown. Next, add the milk and half and half to the roux and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Then add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whisk until smooth. Cook the mixture on medium-high heat until it is thickened (about 3-5 minutes), whisking constantly. Do not let it boil. Once the mixture is thick (sticks to the back of the spatula), reduce heat to low and add cheese. Then whisk until the cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
Assemble & Bake
Now it’s time to assemble. Add the cooked pasta to the pot of cheese sauce and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed. Then, transfer the mac and cheese to a prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle topping over the mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. If you like a crispy top, bake until the top is lightly browned.
Serve
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes and serve warm. We like to serve this baked macaroni and cheese with roasted broccoli or a kale salad for a balanced meal. Or enjoy it with these homemade chicken nuggets. It’s also a great Thanksgiving side dish – check out my list of our favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.
Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
How to Freeze Baked Macaroni and Cheese
There are a few ways you can freeze this recipe: If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
