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Creamy Baked Mac Cheese

Category: Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less

Three-cheese mac with crispy topping, ready in 40 minutes. Feeds 6-8. Great for casual family meals or shared gatherings.
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Created By Mia Laurent
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 23:34:00 GMT
CREAMY BAKED MAC AND CHEESE Pin
CREAMY BAKED MAC AND CHEESE | chefmiarecipes.com

There's nothing more satisfying than watching family faces light up when you bring out a steaming dish of homemade mac and cheese. This ultra-creamy baked version takes ordinary comfort food to new heights with its blend of quality cheeses and that irresistible golden crust hiding the most smooth, dreamy pasta you've ever tasted.

I've tweaked this dish countless times over the years and found that using milk that's been slightly warmed makes the sauce incredibly smooth. My kids always race to the dining room when they catch that amazing cheesy smell – and everyone fights over the crispy bits on top!

Smart Cheese Choices

  • Sharp cheddar cheese: Go for the aged stuff to get that rich, intense flavor punch.
  • Whole milk mozzarella: This gives you those long, stretchy cheese pulls everyone loves.
  • Fresh Parmesan: Adds a fantastic nutty taste that takes the whole dish up a notch.
  • Heavy cream: The secret to getting that unbelievably silky texture.
  • Unsalted butter: Lets you add just the right amount of salt to your dish.

Creating Cheesy Perfection

Start It Right:
Cook pasta until it's just firm to the bite - it'll finish cooking when baked.
Butter-Flour Base:
Mix butter and flour until it turns golden and smells amazing as your sauce foundation.
Smooth Sauce Moves:
Pour in warm milk and cream bit by bit, whisking all the time to avoid lumps.
Cheese Magic:
Take the pot off heat before adding cheeses slowly, stirring until everything's melted and silky.
Mix It Up:
Gently fold your cooked pasta into the sauce so every single piece gets completely covered.
Crunchy Layer Prep:
Mix breadcrumbs with butter and more cheese for that amazing crispy finish.
Oven Love:
Bake until everything's bubbling and you've got that beautiful brown top layer.
SUPER RICH BAKED MAC AND CHEESE Dish Pin
SUPER RICH BAKED MAC AND CHEESE Dish | chefmiarecipes.com

When I was little, I watched my grandma add just a tiny bit of nutmeg to her cheese sauce every time - it's barely noticeable but adds this amazing flavor that makes this recipe really stand out.

Tasty Pairings

Make this mac and cheese into a full dinner by adding some crunchy oven-roasted broccoli or a simple green salad on the side. For something extra special, throw in some homemade garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Fun Twists

Make this dish your own by mixing in some sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic cloves, or crunchy bacon pieces. Want to get fancy? Try sprinkling fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary into your breadcrumb mix.

Keeping It Fresh

Save any leftover mac and cheese in a sealed container and it'll stay good for about four days. When you warm it up again, just add a little splash of milk to bring back that creamy goodness.

I've made this mac and cheese so many times now, and the biggest lesson I've learned is to take your time. Let the sauce develop slowly and don't rush the dish out of the oven - giving it time to rest makes all the difference. The magical combo of that luscious, creamy inside with the crispy topping is totally worth the extra minutes it takes to get it just right.

Homemade SUPER RICH BAKED MAC AND CHEESE Pin
Homemade SUPER RICH BAKED MAC AND CHEESE | chefmiarecipes.com

Common Recipe Questions

→ Which cheeses work best for this dish?
Sharp cheddar packs great flavor, mozzarella or Gruyère add creaminess, and Parmesan brings a salty kick. Blend them for depth.
→ How do I fix grainy mac sauce?
Add cheese slowly to the warm sauce keeping the heat low. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it often leads to grainy textures.
→ Can I prep this meal in advance?
Absolutely! Put it together a day before, then store it in the fridge. Bake before serving, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to bake time.
→ What's the best way to warm up leftovers?
Heat at 350°F in the oven for about 15 minutes. Stir in a splash of milk if it looks dry. Microwaving works too, but the topping softens.
→ How can I make this heartier?
Mix in cooked chicken, ham, bacon, or veggies like peas or broccoli before baking for a more filling dish.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese baked till golden with a creamy inside and crunchy breadcrumb topping. A timeless comfort food everyone adores.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
25 minutes
Total Duration
40 minutes
Created By: Mia Laurent

Recipe Category: Weeknight Elegance

Skill Level: Moderately Challenging

Recipe Cuisine: American

Recipe Yield: 8 Number of Servings

Dietary Categories: Vegetarian-Friendly

Ingredients You’ll Need

→ The Pasta

01 1 pound of macaroni (or whatever fun-shaped pasta you love)

→ The Super Cheesy Sauce

02 4 tablespoons of butter, unsalted
03 1/4 cup plain flour
04 4 cups of whole milk (heavy cream works too if you're in the mood for extra richness)
05 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, but it gives great flavor!)
06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 1/2 teaspoon of salt—add more if you'd like
08 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 3 cups of sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
10 1 cup mozzarella or Gruyère, grated
11 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded right before using

→ For That Crunchy Topping

12 1 cup of panko or breadcrumbs
13 2 tablespoons butter, melted
14 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (you can never go wrong with more cheese)

Steps to Make It

Step 01

Fill a big pot with water, generously salt it, then bring it to a boil. Cook the pasta so it’s firm but not mushy—no one likes soggy mac! Drain and keep it handy.

Step 02

In a big pan over medium heat, melt your butter. Toss in the flour and whisk it around for a minute or two until it smells a bit nutty. That's the start of your sauce!

Step 03

Gradually pour in the milk, whisking like crazy the whole time so no lumps form. Keep stirring until it gets thick and can coat the back of a spoon—this could take 5-7 minutes.

Step 04

Lower the heat and stir in your seasonings. Little by little, toss in all the cheese, stirring constantly until the sauce turns into smooth, creamy magic. It’s hard not to taste-test!

Step 05

Remove the pan from the heat. Mix your cooked pasta with this cheesy sauce until every single piece is coated and super creamy.

Step 06

Heat your oven to 375°F. Coat a 9x13-inch pan lightly with butter or oil, then pour the pasta mixture in and spread it out evenly.

Step 07

Stir the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan together in a bowl. Sprinkle this mix all over the pasta for an amazing crispy layer.

Step 08

Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden on top. For a super crispy topping, switch on the broiler for a minute—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

Extra Information

  1. Switch up the cheeses if you want, just stick to the same amounts
  2. Grating cheese yourself works best since pre-shredded stuff doesn’t melt as well
  3. Want to prep in advance? Assemble everything but hold off on adding the topping until it’s time to bake

Essential Tools

  • A large pot for boiling pasta
  • Big pan for making the sauce
  • Whisk for stirring
  • 9x13-inch dish for baking
  • Cheese grater

Allergen Details

Review every item for allergen risks. Reach out to a healthcare expert for any concerns.
  • Has dairy
  • Has gluten

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These figures are for general reference and shouldn’t replace expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Content: 450
  • Fat Content: 28 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 42 grams
  • Protein Content: 18 grams