Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
This baked mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in, it combines three types of cheese for incredible flavor and texture. Whether you love classic southern-style or simple homemade mac, this recipe delivers a perfectly golden, bubbly finish every time.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or short pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt or Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon or spicy brown mustard
- 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in evaporated milk, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
- Lower the heat and whisk in cream cheese, seasoned salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and mustard until smooth.
- Add half of each cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted and creamy.
- Combine the sauce with the cooked pasta and mix well to coat evenly.
- Pour half the mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese, then add the rest of the pasta and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Preparation Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Servings: 8–12
- Yield: 1 (9×13-inch) casserole