Macaroni and Cheese (Baked) Cheesy, Creamy…

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Macaroni and Cheese (Baked)—Are you looking for a cheesy, creamy, topped with bread crumbs, delicious macaroni and cheese recipe? This is it! The Baked Macaroni and cheese recipe is easy to make. After making the sauce on the stove, it is baked in the oven.

It is so delicious, creamy, and topped with cheesy goodness! In our version, we love using Italian bread crumbs to top the mac and cheese casserole. Add or omit the bread crumbs (panko, plain, or Italian) based on your taste preference. I slightly adapted a recipe years ago and have made a few changes: it is still our go-to casserole for mac and cheese! Here we are with an updated and new recipe.

Macaroni and Cheese Baked

Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser! This is the ultimate comfort food to cook for dinner. Macaroni and cheese is ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall/winter potluck or gathering!

With a few basic cooking tools and ingredients, make this recipe for mac and cheese from scratch.

What Kitchen Tools Do You Need To Make

• Have a nonstick pan or skillet
• Pot for cooking the macaroni noodles
• Wood spoon or Heat Resistant Spoons or BakingSpatula (I use both)
• Chef Knife and Cutting Board
• Colander/Strainer
• 9 x13 Baking Pan ceramic or glass
• Pot Holders
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• Cheese Grater (this is my favorite)
• a few Bowls or Mixing bowls, 1 large (or 1 large pot)

What types of cheese are good for making macaroni and cheese?

Sharp cheddar and cheddar cheeses are a classic choice. Additional cheese options are; Gruyèrecheese, Fontina, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Gouda (to name a few). Adding a cheese like Parmesan to the top with or without bread crumbs will add a nutty, crispy topping to the top of the baked casserole.

Tips for Making Macaroni and Cheese

1. Don’t use store-bought pre-shredded cheese! It will not be as melty! This happens because it typically has additives.
2. It is essential: NOT to overcook the pasta (macaroni noodles)! You want to cook them Al dente.
3. Can you use more than one cheese? Yes, blending different cheeses for different, complex flavors by using more than one type of cheese.
4. Butter is what helps make the sauce creamy!

Can you make Macaroni and Cheese In Advance?

Yes!

Premake the recipe, cover and store it in the refrigerator (for up to a few days in advance). Remove it to get it to room temperature while the oven is heating up and bake it. Add a little more milk, before baking if the noodles absorbed it all (to keep its creaminess).

Can you add other ingredients to Mac and Cheese?

Yes! Add vegetables such as broccoli, and zucchini, or meats such as cooked cut-up ham.

This easy recipe has been a family favorite and is the ultimate comfort food for fall, winter, and spring! Have you tried making homemade macaroni and cheese??

Can you Freeze Macaroni and Cheese?

Yes, For up to 2-3 months in freezer-safe food storage containers.

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Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

• Elbow Macaroni Noodles
• Flour
• Butter
• Milk
• Onion
• Spices; Dry Mustard, Salt, and Pepper
• Bread Crumbs – Panko, Plain Bread Crumbs, or Italian Bread Crumbs (our favorite for this recipe)

Cooking Baked Mac and Cheese

Print the recipe for mac and cheese with the instructions, cook it, and enjoy!

Print The Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Continue to Content

Yield: 8

Macaroni and Cheese (Baked)

Print

Macaroni and Cheese (Baked) Cheesy, delicious, creamy, baked in the oven after making the cheese sauce. A classic comfort food, baked to perfection. Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious! Easy to make, perfect for any occasion. Or make it for dinner! Top with breadcrumbs or enjoy plain. It will be your next family favorite!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 4 cups Macaroni Noodles uncooked
• 3/4 cup of Onion (finely chopped)
• 3/4 cup of Butter
• 6 Tablespoons of Flour
• 4-1/2 cups of Milk
• 4 cups of Shredded Sharp Cheese (roughly 16 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon of Ground Mustard
• 1-1/2 teaspoons of Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of Pepper
• 3/4 cups of Dry Bread Crumbs (we love Italian Bread Crumbs)
• Non-Stick Spray

Instructions

How to make Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat the oven to 350F Pre-spray your baking pan and set it to the side, until needed.

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions (al dente) in a pot or dutch oven.
2. Prep: Shred the cheese and measure out the milk. Finely chop the onion.
3. In a saucepan, saute the onion in 1/2 cup butter. Add the flour; whisk until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a low boil (while stirring); cook and stir until thickened.
4. Once the sauce has thickened; Stir in the mustard, salt, and pepper, and shredded cheese, stir until combined and smooth.
5. Drain the cooked macaroni and add it back into the pot. Then add the cheese sauce to the cooked, drained noodles and stir until coated.
6. Transfer the cheese-coated macaroni noodles to a sprayed 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Melt the remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. or just add bread crumbs to the top of the macaroni casserole before baking. Sprinkle it over the top of the macaroni mixture.
7. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated throughout.

Let cool slightly, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

• Prep to make the Macaroni and Cheese by getting out all the items you will need. Once you get cooking it goes fast.
• I've been making this for years and my favorite way to top the macaroni before baking is by using Italian bread crumbs for extra flavor!
• Bake time may vary by oven. Be sure to check it before the end of the baking time.
• You might like to have additional cheese on hand to pre-shred and add a layer to the top before the bread crumbs for extra cheesiness.
• Go to the DearCreatives.com blog post for additional tips.

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  Progresso, Italian Style Bread Crumbs, 15 oz.
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  365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Breadcrumbs, 9 Ounce

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 599Total Fat 40gSaturated Fat 24gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 111mgSodium 1170mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 2gSugar 5gProtein 22g

Not all nutritional information is always 100% accurate.

We made a similar macaroni and cheese recipe that was originally posted back in 2015, with step-by-step instructions… It is slightly adapted from this baked macaroni and cheese recipe from The Taste of Home (video).

I hope you enjoy our new recipe for baked macaroni and cheese topped with (Italian) bread crumbs.

Macaroni and Cheese Topped With Italian Bread Crumbs

We use Italian bread crumbs for the macaroni and cheese topping. We made our old recipe new. We have updated the recipe to our latest version, added it to the new recipe card, and added a video. Plus, added a few helpful tips. We hope you enjoy this new macaroni

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