Easy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

This Easy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy family favorite made with tender elbow macaroni and a simple homemade cheddar sauce. Baked until hot and bubbly with a lightly crisp top, it's an easy comfort-food dinner or a delicious side for holidays and gatherings.

For a lighter summer twist on classic mac and cheese, you may also love this 30-Minute Skillet Mac and Cheese filled with zucchini, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes.

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This is the baked mac and cheese my mother made for us, and perhaps her mother made for her. It's one of those familiar family recipes I return to again and again-simple ingredients, plenty of cheese, and that unmistakable fresh-from-the-oven comfort.

Easy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this simple baked mac and cheese. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

• Elbow macaroni: The classic choice for mac and cheese, although another small pasta shape can also be used.
• Butter and flour: These create the roux that thickens the homemade cheese sauce.
• Milk: Forms the creamy base of the sauce.
• Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the dish plenty of flavor, but you can also combine it with other good melting cheeses.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and a small pinch of cayenne add flavor without overpowering the cheese.

If you love classic mac and cheese in smaller servings, try these Ramekin Macaroni and Cheese.

How to Make Baked Mac and Cheese

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F and buttering or coating a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until just al dente, then drain.

Make the Cheese Sauce

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 2 minutes.
2. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Stir in the salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and cayenne, if using.
3. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the grated cheese until melted and smooth.

Assemble and Bake

1. Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
2. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the foil and bake for about 5 minutes more, or until the mac and cheese is hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.

What to Serve with Baked Mac and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese can be served as a satisfying meatless dinner with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables. It's also a classic side dish for roasted chicken, ham, holiday dinners, potlucks, and family gatherings.

For a faster option when you don't want to turn on the oven, this 10-Minute Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese is another reader favorite.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover mac and cheese in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or cover and warm in the oven until heated through. Because pasta absorbs some of the sauce as it rests, adding a small splash of milk before reheating can help restore its creamy texture.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes

• 10 Minute Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese: Easiest Comfort Food Ever
• One Pot Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
• Easy Italian Mac and Cheese Bake
• Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
• Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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