Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, cheesiest baked mac and cheese that’s better than takeout. The golden cheese crust is irresistible, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy One Pot Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini and BEST RECIPE For Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls.
Why This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest cheese sauce without a roux
- Golden cheese crust for added crunch
- Easy cleanup with one pot and one dish
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb macaroni pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika (optional, for color)
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Macaroni pasta: Any shape will work, but elbow macaroni is classic.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar and mozzarella create the best flavor, but you can use your favorite blend.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality pasta pot — Even cooking and easy draining → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quick and easy cheese grating → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in milk. Cook until thickened, then stir in cheeses until melted. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until well coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking the pasta can lead to a mushy final dish. Make sure to cook it al dente before combining with the cheese sauce.
- Pro tip: For an even creamier sauce, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, assemble the dish but do not bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Freezing Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: Use your favorite blend of cheeses for a unique flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it longer to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Even heat distribution for perfect baking → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb macaroni pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika (optional, for color)
Optional Toppings
- Breadcrumbs
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in milk. Cook until thickened, then stir in cheeses until melted. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until well coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: Use your favorite blend of cheeses for a unique flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it longer to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Overcooking the pasta or not adding enough milk to the cheese sauce can cause the dish to turn out dry. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente and adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
While you can cook the pasta in the air fryer, the cheese sauce is best made on the stovetop. Combine and bake as directed in the oven for the best results.
Evaporated milk or heavy cream can be used as a substitute for regular milk to create a creamier cheese sauce.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Cozy Comfort Food and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
