that’s creamy inside, cheesy on top, and perfect for a family dinner.
🧀 Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
Servings: 6–8 people
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: About 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the mac and cheese
- 400 g (about 14 oz) elbow macaroni or other short pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (720 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream — optional, but makes it extra creamy
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder — optional
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- A little paprika for sprinkling
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Lightly grease a large baking dish with butter or cooking oil. A dish around 9 × 13 inches (23 × 33 cm) works well.
Step 2: Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, but cook it about 1–2 minutes less than the recommended time.
You don’t want the pasta completely soft because it will continue cooking in the oven.
Once cooked, drain the pasta well.
Tip: Don’t rinse the pasta. The starch left on the pasta helps the cheese sauce cling to it.
Step 3: Make the creamy cheese sauce
Place a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add 4 tablespoons of butter and let it melt.
Once melted, add 4 tablespoons of flour.
Whisk continuously for about 1 minute. This creates a simple roux, which helps thicken the sauce.
Don’t let the flour become dark brown—you want the sauce to stay creamy and light.
Step 4: Add the milk
Slowly pour in the 3 cups of milk, whisking constantly as you pour.
This is important because adding the milk gradually helps prevent lumps.
Add the 1 cup of heavy cream, if using.
Continue whisking until the mixture becomes smooth.
Cook for approximately 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce starts to thicken.
It should be thick enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Season the sauce
Add:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder, if using
Stir everything together.
Taste the sauce carefully and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Step 6: Add the cheese
Reduce the heat to low.
Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan gradually, stirring after each addition.
Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and glossy.
Important tip:
Don’t boil the cheese sauce.
High heat can cause the cheese to separate and become oily or grainy. Gentle heat gives you a much smoother sauce.
Step 7: Combine the pasta and cheese sauce
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce.
Stir gently until every piece of pasta is completely coated.
The mixture should look very creamy and slightly more saucy than you think it needs to be. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce while baking.
Step 8: Transfer to the baking dish
Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into your greased baking dish.
Spread it evenly with a spoon or spatula.
Try to distribute the pasta evenly so you get cheese and sauce throughout the entire dish.
Step 9: Prepare the crunchy topping
In a small bowl, combine:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Mix until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated with butter.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the macaroni.
Then sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs on top.
Finish with a small pinch of paprika if you like.
Step 10: Bake
Place the dish in your preheated 180°C (350°F) oven.
Bake uncovered for approximately 25–30 minutes.
You’re looking for:
- bubbling cheese around the edges
- a golden-brown top
- a hot, creamy center
If you want a darker, extra-crispy top, turn on the oven’s broiler/grill for 1–2 minutes at the end.
⚠️ Watch it closely during this stage because the topping can burn quickly.
Step 11: Let it rest
Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.
This gives the cheese sauce a chance to settle and thicken slightly.
🍽️ How to serve it
Serve the mac and cheese warm as a main family dinner or as a side dish.
It goes especially well with:
- grilled or roasted chicken
- crispy fried chicken
- roasted vegetables
- green salad
- garlic bread
- steamed broccoli
- roasted potatoes
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly tip
For children, you can keep the seasoning mild by reducing the black pepper and paprika. You can also use all cheddar instead of mixing several cheeses.
For adults, add a little extra black pepper, paprika, chili flakes, or a pinch of cayenne for more flavor.
⭐ Tips for the creamiest mac and cheese
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Slightly undercooked pasta holds its shape better during baking.
- Use freshly shredded cheese when possible. It usually melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Keep the cheese sauce on low heat once you add the cheese.
- Don’t make the sauce too thick. The pasta absorbs sauce while baking.
- Don’t overbake. Too much oven time can make mac and cheese dry.
- Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Result: creamy, cheesy macaroni underneath with a delicious golden, slightly crunchy cheese-and-breadcrumb topping. 🧀✨
