Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese recipe is the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy and it is seasoned to perfection! You can enjoy this easy recipe for dinner or as a holiday side dish!

There is a huge debate about what Thanksgiving side dishes rank should rank in the top 3 and I have to give mac and cheese a spot up there. Its creamy, cheesy, and comforting… how can you beat that? It is an ultimate comfort food that you never get tired of and it can be enjoyed on any occasion, not just during the holiday season!

This has been my favorite recipe for years and it is always a crowd pleaser! I like to swap the cheeses every year but I find that always including sharp cheddar and Monterey jack make for the cheesiest mac! Definitely use mozzarella if you want an extra long cheese pull! I also do a roux for this recipe but do not be nervous, it is super easy to make and you will see how important it is for the consistency of the cheese sauce! This delicious recipe will be sure to be a hit at your holiday table!

Ingredients for Baked Mac and Cheese

• Cheese: For best results, use freshly shredded cheese. I used sharp cheddar, asiago, mild cheddar, mozzarella and Monterey jack but you can use your favorite cheeses. I would recommend at least keeping the sharp cheddar in the mix for the best flavor and including mozzarella for a bigger cheese pull!
• Butter: A key ingredient for roux and overall flavor of this mac and cheese
• All purpose flour: Just a little bit to make a roux to thicken our cheese sauce
• Whole milk: This will be the liquid base of our sauce
• Heavy cream: For a creamy sauce but you could also do half and half or evaporated milk
• Sour cream: Don’t skip this ingredient! It will help bind the ingredients and add extra creaminess
• Elbow noodles: This is the classic pasta shape for mac and cheese but you could swap it for a similar sized pasta
• Seasonings: I used smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder

How to make Baked Mac and Cheese

1. Boil the elbow pasta in a large pot for a couple minutes less than the package instructions, or until al dente because it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain and set aside. 
2. In a large saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk quickly so no clumps form.
3. Add in the milk, sour cream and heavy cream and continue to whisk vigorously until combined. Add in your desired amount of seasonings and then turn down the heat slightly. 
4. Shred your cheeses and then add in half of each kind in increments (I used freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese , Monterey jack, asiago, mozzarella and mild cheddar but you can use different kinds of cheese. Using a various cheese selection will ensure an amazing flavor) and continue to whisk. You want to whisk quickly so the cheese doesn’t clump up. The cheese sauce should start to get thicker here. You can turn the heat back up while whisking towards the end to ensure a smoother sauce.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F while the sauce simmers on low for a few minutes.
6. In a baking dish, combine the cooked noodles with the creamy sauce. Put half of the noodles on the bottom of your dish then top with more of the cheeses. Pour the rest of the noodles on top and then add the remaining cheese on top of your dish. You can cube up some more butter and put it on top of the cheese as well. I also added a little bit of smoked paprika on top for some extra flavor and color. 
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted on top. Broil for 2-3 minutes to get the cheese darker on top. You can top with fresh herbs if you choose and enjoy immediately! 

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Swap the sour cream for softened cream cheese!
• Top with buttery breadcrumbs for a twist on this classic dish
• Add an egg if you want the consistency to be more custardy and thick. Just whisk it into the cream before pouring into the sauce mixture and make sure your heat is on low so the egg does not scramble.
• Add chopped bacon for a crispy addition to this dish!

FAQ’s

How long is leftover mac and cheese good for?

• This mac and cheese recipe is so delicious that it probably won’t last after the first day! If you do have some leftover, store in the fridge and enjoy within 3 days of making it.

What else can I serve with Mac and Cheese?

• This is great with other side dishes like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, turkey, and more! It also can be served for dinner too, there are no rules here!