This easy baked mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate creamy, cheesy comfort food—made from scratch with real cheese, milk, and pasta for the perfect family dinner.

This is a Simply Made Recipe provided by Lilly Ashley. Good recipes, without the paragraphs and fluff to sift through! Save the sifting for the baking!

There’s nothing quite like a warm, bubbling dish of homemade baked mac and cheese fresh out of the oven. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly golden on top—this classic comfort food is always a crowd favorite. Whether it’s for a family dinner, holiday gathering, or cozy night in, this simple recipe delivers rich flavor and the perfect texture every time.

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable PDF!

Ingredients

Pasta:

1 lb elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)

Cheese Sauce:

4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Topping:

1 cup shredded cheddar (for topping)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
1 tbsp melted butter (to mix with breadcrumbs)

Instructions

Cook the pasta — Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the roux — In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and lightly golden, about 1 minute.
Add milk and cream — Slowly whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Continue stirring until slightly thickened.
Season and add cheese — Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheeses (reserve some cheddar for topping). Stir until melted and creamy.
Combine and bake — Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce and stir until well coated. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Add topping — Sprinkle remaining cheddar and buttered breadcrumbs on top.
Bake — Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Nutrition (per serving)


Calories	480
Carbohydrates	38g
Protein	18g
Fat	28g
Sugar	4g

💡 Simply Made Tip:

For the creamiest texture, shred your cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese—it melts more smoothly and gives your sauce that extra luscious, homemade quality.

Rich, comforting, and baked with love, this classic mac and cheese is guaranteed to be a family favorite.