Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is exactly what every dinner needs. This side dish is the definition of comfort food. Made with three cheeses this macaroni and cheese is sure to be a hit with everyone. 

Who can say no to mac and cheese? I know I cannot. This is one of my favorite side dishes of all time. All of that cheesy goodness is just too good to pass up. Throughout the years I have been changing up my recipe and I have found this one right here is my favorite. 

In this recipe

Macaroni is a pasta that is formed in narrow tubes with but blunt ends. It can also be curved which is normally referred to as elbow macaroni that most people know and love. Macaroni has also been used to encompass most pastas with holes in the middle. This is why you will see all kinds of pastas used for macaroni and cheese. 

Ingredients for macaroni and cheese on a wooden cutting board
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Giving the pasta some flavor

The secret weapon in making this dish is the use of chicken stock. Many people will just season the water with salt but the chicken stock adds so much more flavor to the macaroni. By doing this one little trick you will have all of your friends and family asking how you made this dish so well. When making this recipe if you need additional water to cover all of the pasta it is ok to add more water. It is always good to buy an additional carton of chicken broth if you aren’t using your own depending on the size of your pot. 

cream sauce in a pot
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shredded cheese and cream sauce in a pot
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Pasta with the cream sauce in a pot
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Shred it yourself

This is a personal preference of mine but I will shred my own cheese versus buying it pre-shredded. This is mainly due to the addition of cellulose to the cheese as an anti-caking agent. While we consume cellulose in ever plant we eat it isn’t normally found in cheese. One of the reasons for tis is that it changes how the cheese melts. The cellulose keeps the cheese from creating that lovely pull, stretch, that is part of a good melting cheese. 

Unbaked macaroni and cheese in a baking dish
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baked macaroni and cheese in a baking dish
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What is melting cheese?

A melting cheese is one that when heating does not break. This is what causes a pull, that delicious stretch, when the cheese is heated and separated from the whole. Kinda like that wonderful stretch when you remove the first slice of hot pizza from the pie. Here are some great melting cheeses that are perfect for this recipe and to let you make it your own. 

      • Colby
      • Swiss
      • Aged Cheddar
      • Provolone
      • Muenster
      • Monterey Jack
      • Havarti
      • Gruyere
A blue baking dish with macaroni and cheese
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Making baked macaroni and cheese

Depending on how you like your macaroni and cheese will be how you choose to bake it. If you are like me and like the crispy top without adding breadcrumbs then cook it without covering it with foil. For some extra crispiness turn on the broiler for the last 3 minutes and broil the top. If you want the top to be more gooey then cover then cover the macaroni and cheese in foil. This will also give the top more stretch and help prevent the cream sauce from setting. 

baked macaroni and cheese with serving spoon
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Looking for other pasta dishes?

A bowl of macaroni and cheese
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Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Sean
The perfect comfort food side dish with three cheeses.
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 479 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor or cheese grater
  • Large bowl
  • 9 x 13 baking dish
  • Large pot
  • Saucepan

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1½ lbs macaroni
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups gruyere cheese shredded
  • 2 cups gouda shredded, not smoked
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 4 tbsp butter unsalted
  • ½ tbsp kosher salt
  • ½ tbsp white pepper ground
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F or gas mark 4.
  • If using block cheese use a food processor with the grating attachment or cheese grater to shred the cheeses.
  • In a large pot bring the chicken broth to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to the directions but a minute less than the time to reach al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven. Strain the pasta.
  • While the broth is heating up and boiling in another saucepan add the milk, cream, butter, salt, and pepper together and heat until the milk is warm. Add the gouda and gruyere and stir until the cheese has melted.
  • Pour the pasta into a large bowl and add the cheese mixture. Stir in half of the cheddar.
  • Pour into the 9x13 baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar. Bake for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 479kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 966mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 797IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 518mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer*
Keyword Comfort food, Macaroni
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
baked macaroni and cheese pinterest pin
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10 thoughts on “Baked Macaroni and Cheese”

  1. 5 stars
    I love mac n cheese in all its forms! This looks so comforting and delicious. On a chilly night this is a perfect meal to make for the family.

  2. 5 stars
    I can never say no to a good old mac and cheese recipe. There is always something new to learn, and this recipe is not an exception. Yum!

  3. 5 stars
    I love any and all macaroni and cheese recipe, but an adult version is always the best! Love the types of cheeses you have in this recipe.

  4. 5 stars
    I’m a big mac and cheese lover, and this is divine! The three cheeses gave the sauce so much flavor, and it came out perfectly rich and creamy.

  5. 5 stars
    You could pretty much add this cheesy sauce to anything and I’d eat it! I’m a huge fan of this kind of comfort food.

  6. 5 stars
    I love macaroni and cheese! This recipe sounds delicious with the chicken broth and heavy cream! I love how you can change it up with different types of cheeses.

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