Is there anything more cozy or comforting than a bubbling, hot pan of creamy macaroni and cheese? Okay, these other quick comfort food recipes may hit the spot too, but mac and cheese will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
While some of our best mac and cheese recipes are made entirely on the stovetop, this recipe for creamy macaroni and cheese is baked in the oven. Made with a classic roux-based cheese sauce, Velveeta and plenty of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe is exactly what you want to serve with other homestyle favorites like bacon-wrapped meatloaf, glazed ham or oven-fried chicken drumsticks.
You can make this creamy mac and cheese as-is or customize it to create the cheese recipe of your dreams. Add some protein, toss in some vegetables or try with other tasty cheese combinations. It’s an excellent base recipe you can tweak to rationalize making mac and cheese every night of the week!
Ingredients for Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Macaroni: Good old-fashioned macaroni is the classic choice for this recipe. However, you can use any short pasta shapes you enjoy. Try cavatappi, rotini, medium shells or penne.
- Butter: Butter is the base of the roux that helps make a rich and velvety smooth cheese sauce.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is another main ingredient for our roux. It’s important because it helps thicken the sauce and gives it body.
- Milk: Milk thins the sauce to the perfect consistency. We prefer 2% milk, but you can opt for whole milk for a richer mac and cheese. You can also experiment using skim milk, but the sauce may not be as thick or creamy.
- Sour cream: Sour cream helps thicken the creamy sauce and lends a lovely, subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the cheese and mustard powder.
- Velveeta: Velveeta is our secret ingredient for a luscious and creamy mac and cheese sauce. Processed cheeses, like Velveeta, contain additives that prevent the cheese from seizing when melted and exposed to higher heat. This means your mac and cheese sauce remains thick and rich, even after baking. We have plenty of Velveeta recipes to use up any extra.
- Seasonings: A bit of mustard powder, salt and black pepper enhance and elevate the flavors in this old-school recipe.
- Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese is one of our favorite types of cheese for this and many other cheese recipes. We always reach for extra sharp cheddar cheese, but you can opt for mild or medium cheddar cheese if you want a more subtle flavor.
- Parmesan: Another layer of cheese never hurts, right? A sprinkle of Parmesan adds nuttiness and savory notes to this mac and cheese.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
Editor’s Tip: Since the mac and cheese bakes in the oven, it’s okay for the pasta to have a slight chew at this stage. You want to cook the pasta just al dente, otherwise, the macaroni will become mushy in the oven. Here’s how to cook pasta for every type of recipe.
Step 2: Start the sauce
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. In a large saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups of milk, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil then cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened.
Editor’s Tip: Do not add all of the milk at once. For the best, smooth and creamy mac and cheese, whisk it gradually into the roux, about 1/4 cup at a time. Trust us, it makes a huge difference! Add more milk, up to 2 cups, to reach the desired consistency.
Step 3: Make it cheesy
Reduce the heat and stir in the sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard powder and pepper until smooth and the cheese has melted.
Step 4: Combine
Drain the macaroni and toss with the cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-quart baking dish and stir in the creamy macaroni and cheese sauce.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the creamy macaroni and cheese, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Editor’s Tip: If you’re concerned about the creamy macaroni and cheese drying out in the oven, you can bake covered with aluminum foil for the first half of the bake.
Recipe Variations
- Change up the cheese: To keep the mac creamy, keep the Velveeta. Feel free to experiment with the shredded cheese, however. Instead of cheddar, try another good melting cheese, like Gruyère, gouda, Monterey jack, Havarti or muenster.
- Make extra creamy mac and cheese: For an extra rich and creamy mac and cheese recipe, add up to 1/2 cup of regular cream cheese to the cheese sauce. You could also experiment with using all cream cheese instead of sour cream.
- Add a crumb topping: Add a crunchy, buttery topping, like in this baked mac and cheese recipe. Combine 3/4 cup of dry bread crumbs, crushed crackers or cornflakes mixed with 3 tablespoons of melted butter (try adding a pinch of garlic powder for added flavor, too), then sprinkle over the top of the creamy mac and cheese before baking.
- Toss in some vegetables: Sneaking veggies into creamy macaroni and cheese is a great way to get kids to eat their greens. Stir in chopped broccoli, spinach, artichokes, bell peppers, peas or mushrooms before baking. For best results, you may want to partially cook the vegetables and drain them to remove excess water before adding to the macaroni. Otherwise, the casserole may lose some of its creaminess.
- Make it meaty: Add some protein and stir in shredded or grilled chicken breast, cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced smoked sausage, or even seasoned taco meat to the recipe.
- Spice it up: For a spicy and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe, add diced jalapenos, a can of green chiles or a drizzle of Buffalo sauce to the recipe.
How to Store Creamy Mac and Cheese
Keep leftover mac and cheese in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat, cover with foil and warm it gently in a 350° oven. You may want to add a splash of milk or heavy cream to the macaroni and cheese recipe before reheating to rehydrate the casserole. Here are more tips for reheating pasta.
Can you make creamy mac and cheese ahead of time?
For the best texture, it’s best to serve this mac and cheese fresh from the oven. But, if you’re pressed for time, you can prepare it through Step 4 up to one day in advance. Store it, covered tightly, in the refrigerator. Some of the liquid may be absorbed in that time, so cook the macaroni just to al dente and add more milk than the recipe calls for. You’ll want the mixture to be looser than if you were baking it right away, so stir in 2 to 2-1/2 cups milk for best results. Here are more of our favorite make-ahead casseroles.
Creamy Mac and Cheese Tips
Why does my mac and cheese taste like raw flour?
When making a creamy mac and cheese recipe that begins with a roux, it is important to allow the butter and flour mixture to cook for two to three minutes before adding the milk. These precious few minutes are important to get rid of the unpleasant raw flour taste or mouthfeel.
How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?
This homemade mac and cheese recipe has plenty of creamy ingredients, and you can keep all of that creamy goodness by not overcooking your cream sauce. Cook it just until it has thickened. Once it’s ready, seal in moisture by covering your dish with foil for the first half of the bake.
How can you thicken creamy mac and cheese?
There are several ways to thicken the sauce for creamy macaroni and cheese. First, allow the cheese sauce to reduce for a few extra minutes over low heat to let some of the excess liquid evaporate. Or make a slurry made with cornstarch and water and add it to the sauce. Last, when in doubt, you can always add more cheese.
Can you make creamy mac and cheese on the stovetop?
Yes, if you would like to skip baking the creamy mac and cheese, you can instead add the pasta and shredded cheese to the cheese sauce and then cook over medium-low heat for three to five minutes until the cheese has melted, and the sauce has thickened slightly. Or try this one-pot mac and cheese recipe.
What can you serve with creamy mac and cheese?
Mac and cheese can be a standalone meal or can be paired with an array of other classic comfort food recipes. To keep the meal vegetarian, serve it with a fresh green garden salad or a platter of roasted vegetables. Alternatively, pair creamy mac and cheese with your favorite meaty entre. Any of these super steak recipes, some pulled BBQ pork, a pot of classic baked beans or buttery cornbread would make a perfect pair.
