The Best Mac & Cheese You've Ever Had! (2024)

Homemade Mac and Cheese is a rich, creamy casserole and this recipe is truly my favorite!

Not only is this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe easy to make, it has a special ingredient so it turns out extra delicious!

This dish has so much cheesy sauce, it’s impossible to resist and once you try it, this is going to be the only baked macaroni & cheese recipe you’ll ever need!

Why This is Our Favorite Homemade Mac & Cheese Ever

Hello, my name is Holly and I am obsessed with Macaroni and Cheese. I love all kinds from to baked mac and cheese, or even out of a little blue box. Of all of the cheesy macaroni recipes, *this* reciperight here is the best mac and cheese recipe ever and always gets rave reviews!

• The sauce is from scratch and easy to make.
• This recipe is extra saucy.
• The pasta doesn’t get dry, it’s still nice and creamy even after it’s baked in the oven.
• It’s got great flavor, especially when using sharp cheddar cheese. (The sharper the better!)
• And most importantly, it’s the best homemade mac and cheese you’ve ever had.

Ingredients & Variations

PASTA This easy mac and cheese casserole starts with elbow macaroni that are slightly undercooked so they don’t get mushy when baked.

Any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells will work. Feel free to use gluten free pasta or whole grain pasta if desired.

SAUCE A classic flour and butter mixture is used to thicken the cheese sauce. We add sharp cheddar and fresh parmesan for lots of flavor. A secret ingredient I love to add is condensed cheddar cheese soup (this is optional but reccomened).

For extra richness, I add a bit of light cream to the milk. You can use all milk if it’s all you have.

VARIATION This casserole has a simple cheese topping. But feel free to add a breadcrumb topping if desired.

How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese

Making homemade macaroni and cheese (especially this 5-star recipe) is surprisingly easy and quick!

1. Cook Pasta – Cook pasta al dente (slightly undercooked) drain & rinse.
2. Make Sauce –A homemade cheese sauce with lots of cheese takes about 10 minutes. (more on the sauce below).
3. Combine and bake – Toss sauce with pasta and top with remainder of shredded cheese.
4. Bake (as per the recipe below) until golden and bubbly.

Mac and Cheese Sauce

The sauce for this easy homemade macaroni and cheese is a classic roux based cheese sauce. This just means fat (in this case butter) and flour cooked together and then liquid (milk) added! This sauce is incredibly rich and creamy making sure the macaroni and cheese is velvety smooth and extra creamy every single time.

Be sure to shred your own cheese for the sauce, pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well.

The Best Cheese For Mac and Cheese

Sharp Cheddar is my first choice for flavor however you can certainly use your favorite cheeses. Mix it up and use a bit of gruyere, or even pepper jack for a little kick. If you have bits of cheese leftover, you can combine them all together in this easy homemade cheese sauce.

This recipe has a special ingredient that is a little bit unconventional but makes it extra yummy… AND it is optional. The addition of cheddar cheese soup makes the sauce a little bit extra velvety and just adds a little something.I think it’s much better than Mac and cheese with Velveeta! Give it a try! (You can find it at your local grocery store with the other condensed soups or online here).

Recipe Tips

Making Homemade Macaroni and Cheese is not difficult, but below are a few simple tips to make sure it turns out perfect and creamy every single time!

• Cook pasta al dente (firm) Otherwise the noodles cook extra in the sauce and can get over- cooked in the oven.
• Salt the pasta waterIt really makes a difference in the flavor of the pasta.
• Rinse the pasta after cooking While not everyone agrees, in this particular recipe the sauce is created with a texture that pairs perfectly with rinsed noodles. Rinsing with cold water stops the cooking process, too, ensuring that pasta won’t overcook and get mushy during baking.
• Shred the cheese by hand Pre-shredded cheeses contain additives to keep it from sticking together which affect the way it melts.
• Rest before serving Allowing the baked macaroni and cheese to rest for a few minutes after baking will thicken the sauce and allow the casserole to set.
• Watch the timer Most importantly of all… do not over-bake this recipe.

When cooking your macaroni noodles, cook them according to the package directions but you want them to be still firm. If your package says 6-8 minutes, just cook them 6… you get the idea.

How to Make a Bread Crumb Topping (optional)

Combine the following and sprinkle over your casserole before baking.

• 3/4 cup bread crumbs (Panko Bread Crumbsare best)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon parsley (optional)

This recipe makesan extra saucy creamy macaroni. Do not over-bake this recipe. You want it creamy and rich, over-baking will cause it to dry out. I find that 20 minutes is perfect in my oven, the cheese sauce will thicken slightly while standing.

More Macaroni Recipes You’ll Love

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese– Super easy!
• American Goulash Recipe (Tomato, Beef and Macaroni)Crowd pleaser.
• Homemade One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni – Easy & quick!
• Crock Pot Mac and Cheese – reader favorite
• Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Did you love this Mac and Cheese Casserole? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!