Savor the best Southern-inspired comfort with this easy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious, this golden delight, layered with gooey cheddar goodness, is destined to be a family favorite for any occasion!
Looking for other comfort food recipes? We think you will love our Garlic Mashed Potatoes, The Best Meatloaf, or Chicken and Noodles.
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Mac and cheese is a timeless classic when it comes to comfort food, and for a good reason! There's something undeniably comforting about a warm and cheesy bowl of goodness that takes you back to childhood memories. It's a dish that brings a sense of familiarity and warmth, making it the ultimate go-to side dish for any occasion!
The distinct blend of flavors and textures sets this homemade baked mac and cheese apart from other recipes. The addition of Monterey jack cheese adds a creamy tanginess that perfectly complements the richness of the cheddar cheese. The use of sour cream and whole milk contributes to a velvety smoothness, creating a velvety sauce that coats every single piece of pasta. But what truly sets it apart is all the gooey melted cheese on top. This adds the homemade feel, taking this mac and cheese to the next level of flavor and texture!
There are so many ways you can serve baked mac and cheese. Serve it as a main course with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. Prepare individual portions in ramekins for a charming and crowd-pleasing side dish. Whip up a batch and serve it in bite-sized portions for easy munching. You can even customize it by adding cooked bacon, diced jalapeños, or sautéed onions for an extra kick of flavor.
Whether you're enjoying it for a casual weeknight meal or a special celebration, this mac and cheese is guaranteed to have a permanent spot on your recipe rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The combination of small curd cottage cheese, sour cream, and whole milk creates a luscious and velvety sauce that coats every single bite of tender pasta, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth taste and texture.
- Whether you're hosting a cozy family dinner, a casual potluck, or a festive gathering, this mac and cheese can be easily customized and served in various ways!
Ingredients For Baked Mac and Cheese
- Elbow Macaroni - Serves as the base for this mac and cheese dish, providing a satisfying texture and shape that holds onto the creamy sauce.
- Sour Cream - With its smooth and tangy characteristics, sour cream further enhances the creaminess of the sauce and adds a subtle zing to the dish.
- Whole Milk - Helps create a velvety texture in the sauce, ensuring a luxurious and smooth consistency throughout the dish.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Brings a robust and intense flavor to the dish.
- Salt & Pepper - These staple seasonings add depth and balance to the flavors, elevating the natural taste of the ingredients.
- Unsalted Butter - Melted butter is combined with the breadcrumbs, providing richness and a buttery flavor and texture.
- Paprika, Garlic, and Onion Powder - Adds a hint of smokiness and vibrant reddish color to the breadcrumb topping, enhancing the visual appeal and overall taste.
- Monterey Jack Cheese - Adds a nutty and salty taste to the breadcrumb topping.
How To Make Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese
Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9x13 baking dish by spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray. Then, set aside.
Prepare the elbow macaroni: Cook pasta to al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain and run cool water over it until completely cooled. Then, set aside.
Assemble the cheese sauce mixture: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth, creating a roux. Gradually add whole milk, whisking continuously until the sauce is thoroughly blended and smooth.
Gradually incorporate 2 cups each of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese into the mixture, adding about 1 cup at a time. Whisk continuously until smooth, ensuring all 4 cups of cheese are blended. Cook until the mixture is smooth, occasionally whisking.
After the sauce starts to bubble, incorporate sour cream, paprika, black pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder with a whisk. Ensure thorough mixing until well combined.
Add the mac and cheese: Place cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then pour the cheese sauce over it. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Bake and cool: Add to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- To ensure perfectly cooked pasta, be sure to follow the package instructions for cooking the elbow macaroni to al dente. Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy texture once baked in the oven.
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil for the first half of the baking time to prevent the cheese topping from becoming too dark or burnt during baking.
- Experiment with different types of cheddar cheese. Opt for an extra sharp cheddar for a bolder and more intense flavor, or try a combination of mild and sharp cheddar for a balanced taste.
- If you're planning to serve mac and cheese for a gathering or special occasion, you can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Variations
- Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the mac and cheese mixture before baking. The savory, smoky flavor of the bacon complements the creamy cheese sauce.
- Incorporate diced jalapeños or green chilies into the mac and cheese for a spicy kick!
- For a touch of sweetness, stir in caramelized onions to the sauce.
- Add a Mediterranean twist by mixing in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, and fresh basil leaves to the mac and cheese.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations to create your own signature mac and cheese. Try a blend of Gouda and Fontina for a creamy and nutty taste, or mix in some blue cheese for a bold and tangy flavor profile.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Allow leftover mac and cheese to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or tightly covering the baking dish with plastic wrap. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: It's best to freeze this dish before baking. Prepare the dish as instructed, but instead of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the mac and cheese in the refrigerator overnight, then bake according to the recipe instructions.
Baked Mac and Chees FAQs
Yes, you can substitute elbow macaroni with other tubular pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi.
While whole milk contributes to the richness of the sauce, you can use low-fat or skim milk as a substitute. However, remember that the sauce may be slightly less creamy compared to whole milk.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni or any other gluten-free pasta. Ensure all other ingredients, such as breadcrumbs and spices, are labeled gluten-free.
There are two ways to go about freezing your mac and cheese. You can freeze it post-baking and reheat it when needed, or freeze it before baking. Opting for the latter often yields a creamier texture with less graininess upon cooking since it avoids undergoing the heating process twice.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Best Potato Salad Recipe
- Balsamic Pasta Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Best Ever Twice Baked Potatoes
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Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni (or other tubular pasta)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 3½ cups whole milk
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded) 2 an 2
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9x13 baking dish by spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray. Then set aside.
- In a large pot, cook pasta to al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk until smooth to make a roux. Then, slowly start to whisk in whole milk. Whisk continuously until the sauce is well combined and smooth.
- Slowly whisk in 2 cups of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. Add about 1 cup at a time and continuously whisk until smooth until all 4 cups of cheese have been added. Cook until smooth and whisk occasionally.
- Once the sauce bubbles, whisk in sour cream, paprika, black pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Whisk until well combined.
- Add Cooked macaroni to the prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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