This Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese is rich, cheesy and comforting. Every forkful is filled with pasta with a creamy cheese sauce and a crunchy cheese cracker topping.
This easy baked mac and cheese combines tender pasta shells with a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce that's packed with flavor.
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Baked Cheddar Mac and Cheese
When you're craving the ultimate comfort food, a warm and cheesy dish of homemade Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese will definitely satisfy that craving.
Sharp cheddar cheese gives every bite lots of cheesy goodness and the evaporated milk creates a wonderfully creamy texture to the cheese sauce.
A touch of Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard adds just the right amount of savory depth while complementing all the cheesiness.
Creamy sharp cheddar sauce coats the pasta and also fills the inside the little pasta shells making each bite pop with cheesiness!
Oh, and then there's the topping!
A buttery layer of crunchy cheese crackers bakes up golden and delicious.
Now this is the kind of macaroni and cheese that feels right at home on a holiday table, Sunday dinner or weeknight family meal.
This creamy baked pasta casserole is also easy to customize with your favorite cheeses and additions, such as sundried tomatoes, jalapenos, peas and more.
Cheddar Mac 'N Cheese is the perfect comfort food and this recipe will feed a crowd!
The creamy pasta and crunchy cheese cracker topping make it especially inviting for family dinners, potlucks and holiday gatherings.
You can easily halve this recipe to feed just a few too!
Whether you're serving it as a side dish or making it the star of the meal or center stage at a gathering, this cheesy comfort food is guaranteed to be a favorite.
So if you're looking for a homemade mac and cheese that's creamy, flavorful and topped with an irresistible crunch, this Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese belongs on your menu.
Check out what to serve with mac and cheese and cheeses for mac and cheese.
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Why You'll Love This Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Creamy and cheesy - The rich cheddar cheese sauce coats and fills every shell of pasta. Oh yum!
- Bursting with flavor - Sharp cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard add layers of savory flavor.
- Crunchy buttery topping - Crushed cheese crackers combine with butter to create a golden, crispy topping.
- Easy comfort food – Perfect for family dinners and entertaining, this casserole can be served as a side dish or main dish.
- Holiday-worthy – You can serve this baked pasta casserole alongside your favorite holiday recipes as a crowd-pleasing side.
- Made with simple ingredients – Simple ingredients are all you will need to make this delicious baked macaroni and cheese.
Recipe Tips
- I highly recommend using freshly shredded cheddar when possible. Freshly shredded cheese melts easily and beautifully and gives the sauce a smooth, creamy consistency. Packaged shredded cheese has a coating on it that makes it more difficult to melt easily and smoothly.
- Sharp cheddar will give you a bold flavor with lots of cheesy personality!
- Cook the pasta just until tender. The macaroni will continue cooking as it bakes, so an al dente pasta will give you the best texture after baking.
- Don't skip the Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard. They are small additions, but they give the cheese sauce extra depth.
- Make the topping count. A buttery cheese cracker topping adds a wonderful contrast to the creamy pasta underneath.
- Be sure to serve warm. Baked mac and cheese is at its creamiest and most comforting when served hot out of the oven.
Easy Mac and Cheese Recipes
Substitutions
- Pasta - You can substitute elbow macaroni, cavatappi, rotini or another short pasta shape in place of the shell pasta.
- Sharp cheddar – If you prefer a more subtle cheese flavor, use a mild cheddar instead of sharp cheddar.
- Cheddar cheese – For a different cheese flavor profile you can use combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby or Gruyère instead of just cheddar.
- Evaporated milk - Another rich dairy option, such as half and half, can be used instead of canned evaporated milk.
- Cheese crackers – Another buttery cracker, such as Ritz crackers, seasoned breadcrumbs or a crunchy cracker can replace the cheese crackers.
- Dry mustard - Prepared mustard can be used in a small amount, in place of dry mustard but it will add additional moisture to the finished dish.
Variations
- Bacon Cheddar Mac and Cheese - Add cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky, savory flavor, either stirred in or sprinkled on top.
- Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese - For a vegetable-packed twist, stir in cooked broccoli florettes.
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese – Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken and buffalo sauce for a hearty variation.
- Garlic Herb Mac and Cheese – For an aromatic variation, add minced fresh garlic and your favorite herbs or stir in a creamy garlic herb cheese.
- Jalapeño Cheddar Mac and Cheese – For a little heat, add diced fresh jalapeños or pickled jalapenos.
- Three Cheese Mac and Cheese – Just combine sharp cheddar with two additional favorite melting cheeses for a more complex cheese flavor.
Storage
- Refrigerator - Store any leftover baked mac and cheese covered in the refrigerator. You can store it in the baking dish or in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Reheating – Leftover mac and cheese makes a delicious lunch or side dish and can be easily reheated. Because baked macaroni and cheese can thicken as it cools, adding a little moisture when reheating, such as milk, can help restore its creamy texture. Reheat gently over low to medium-low heat on the stovetop or you can reheat in the microwave.
How to Serve Baked Mac and Cheese
This creamy baked mac and cheese is an incredibly versatile side dish.
You can serve it with roasted chicken, baked ham, barbecue favorites or your favorite holiday main dishes.
It’s a delicious Sunday dinner side dish when served with roasted meats and vegetables.
This baked casserole is ideal for entertaining.
I love to serve it as the main dish on a comfort-food menu with a variety of hearty sides.
FAQs
What makes baked mac and cheese creamy?
A creamy cheese sauce and rich dairy ingredients help create the luscious texture of baked mac and cheese. The key is starting with a smooth sauce and avoiding overbaking, which can dry out the pasta.
Can I make baked mac and cheese ahead of time?
Yes. Baked mac and cheese can be prepared ahead for entertaining and holiday meals. Just keep it refrigerated until you're ready to bake and serve it.
What is the best cheese for baked mac and cheese?
Sharp cheddar is a great choice when you want bold, classic cheese flavor. You can also combine cheddar with other good melting cheeses to create your own signature blend.
Why put crackers on mac and cheese?
A cracker topping adds a delicious contrast to creamy macaroni and cheese. The buttery, crunchy topping give this dish texture while adding another layer of savory flavor.
How do you keep baked mac and cheese from drying out?
To prevent baked pasta and cheese from drying out, avoid overbaking and start with a generously creamy cheese sauce. Serving the mac and cheese soon after baking also helps maintain its creamy texture.
Ingredients
Ingredients for oven baked mac and cheese
- Medium Pasta Shells - Medium pasta shells are perfect for baked mac and cheese because their shape catches and holds onto the creamy cheese sauce. Every shell is filled with lots of cheesy flavor in each bite.
- Evaporated Milk - Canned evaporated milk adds richness and creaminess to the cheese sauce. It's a convenient pantry ingredient that helps create a rich cheese sauce.
- Flour - Flour is the thickener for the cheese sauce, adding just the right amount of texture to the sauce.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Sharp cheddar is the star of this mac and cheese. Its bold, savory flavor gives the dish plenty of cheesy flavor and sauciness. It is best to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Just a hint of Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth and enhances the overall flavor of the cheddar cheese sauce.
- Dry Mustard - Dry mustard lends a subtle tang and helps bring out the flavor of the cheddar.
- Kosher Salt - Kosher salt makes all the ingredients pop, helping them to taste their best.
- Black Pepper - Black pepper adds a gentle peppery note that balances the richness of the creamy cheese sauce.
- Cheese Crackers - Crushed cheese crackers create a deliciously crunchy topping while adding another layer of cheesy flavor along with an irresistible texture.
- Butter - Butter combines with the cheese cracker topping to create a rich, golden and crispy finish.
Comfort Food Favorites
What to serve with mac and cheese
Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac 'N Cheese Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound medium pasta shells
- 2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup baked cheese crackers crushed, such as Cheez-Its
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Coat a 2.5-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Combine 1/4 cup evaporated milk and flour, stirring until smooth and blended.
- In the pasta pot, cook the evaporated milk mixture, remaining evaporated milk, 2 cups cheddar cheese, Worcestershire, dry mustard, kosher salt, pepper and reserved pasta water over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the mixture is thickened, smooth and blended, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. If you are preparing this recipe ahead, you can refrigerate it at this point until you are ready to top it and bake it, as per the instructions in the notes below.
- Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
- Combine crushed crackers and melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pasta is hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Prepare the recipe to the point as instructed above in the recipe.
- When you are ready to bake the casserole, remove baking dish from refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Continue preparing topping with remaining cheese and cracker topping.
- Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and pasta is heated through.
Nutrition
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