Go Back
–+ servings
Creamy macaroni and cheese in a white rectangular dish on a white plate with green garnishes, served with a fork and knife.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Bree Hester
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course, pasta
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 571 kcal

Ingredients
  

The Macaroni:

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 pound pasta shells or any kind of noodle that you like
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 12 ounces of cheese I used a combination of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Provolone, Asiago, Fontina, and Parmesan
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

The Crumb Topping:

  • 3/4 cup Panko crumbs
  • 4 Tablespoons melted butter
  • salt and pepper
  • chives for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain it 2 minutes before it should be done; you want al dente pasta.
    Cooked pasta in a stainless steel colander with a wooden spoon for draining.
  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over MEDIUM heat. Add the flour and mustard.
    Cream cheese, sugar, and eggs being mixed for baking recipe at Baked Bree.
  • Whisk together for at least one minute.
    Smooth batter being whisked in a mixing bowl for baking recipes.
  • Pour in the milk. Whisk in the milk and let it come to a boil. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to MEDIUM/MEDIUM-LOW and simmer until the sauce is thickened. It should coat the back of a spoon, maybe 3 minutes more.
    Cream being poured into a mixing bowl for baking, with a vintage milk bottle from Baked Bree.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat.
    Cream mixture in a stainless steel pot on a wooden cutting board.
  • Whisk in the cheeses.
    Cream cheese melting in saucepan for baking recipe, ready to be blended.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce and season generously with salt and pepper.
    Cream and spices in a mixing bowl for baking recipes.
  • Add the pasta, give it a toss in the cheese sauce and check for seasoning.
    Creamy cheese pasta mixture with seasoning in a mixing bowl, ready to be baked or cooked.
  • Put the macaroni and cheese in a buttered dish (or in single serving dishes, if you would like).
    Creamy macaroni and cheese in white baking dishes on wooden surface.
  • Add the 4 tablespoons of melted butter to the panko crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Toss until the crumbs are coated..
    Cream of rice porridge with grated cheese and black pepper in a blue bowl, ready to serve or cook.
  • Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the macaroni and cheese.
    Creamy mac and cheese with breadcrumb topping in baking dishes on a tray, ready for baking.
  • Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
    Creamy macaroni and cheese casserole with golden breadcrumb topping.
  • Garnish with some chopped chives and serve.
    Creamy macaroni and cheese served in a white dish on a white plate, with green chives and breadcrumbs topping.
  • It will totally be worth the run the next morning. I promise.
    Creamy baked cauliflower casserole with cheese and herbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 571kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 456mgFiber: 2g
Keyword Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!