Easy Baked Mac and Cheese (Creamy, Cheesy & Family-Friendly)

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Total: 45 minutes | Serves: 6
Best For: Family dinners, gatherings, comforting sides

Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

This easy baked mac and cheese combines tender pasta with a rich homemade cheese sauce before everything is baked until bubbling and golden. The middle stays creamy while the cheesy top develops those irresistible browned edges everyone mysteriously starts fighting over.

It's simple comfort food made for sharing. Serve it as a family dinner with something fresh on the side, bring a big dish to a gathering or place it alongside your favourite roast. It's warm, filling and very unlikely to come back from the table full.

Ingredients for Baked Mac and Cheese

• 400 g macaroni

• 50 g butter

• ¼ cup plain flour

• 3 cups milk

• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided

• ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

• ½ teaspoon mustard powder

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

• Chopped parsley, for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 200°C conventional or 180°C fan-forced. Lightly grease a large baking dish.

2. Cook the macaroni. Boil the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente according to the packet directions. Drain and set aside.

3. Make the roux. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute.

4. Add the milk. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for several minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

5. Add the seasoning. Stir through the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and mustard powder if using.

6. Make it cheesy. Reduce the heat to low and stir in 2 cups of cheddar and the mozzarella until melted and smooth.

7. Combine with the pasta. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is generously coated.

8. Assemble. Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

9. Add the topping. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over the top. For a crunchy finish, combine the breadcrumbs with melted butter and scatter them over the cheese.

10. Bake until golden. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and golden on top.

11. Rest before serving. Let the mac and cheese sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Helpful Tips

• Cook the pasta slightly less than al dente because it continues cooking in the oven.

• Add the milk gradually while whisking for a smooth, lump-free cheese sauce.

• Grating cheese from a block generally gives the sauce a smoother melt than some pre-shredded cheeses.

• Don't bake it for too long — overbaking can turn creamy mac and cheese dry.

Why This Recipe Works

• A homemade cheese sauce keeps the macaroni creamy underneath the baked topping.

• Cheddar provides plenty of flavour while mozzarella adds extra melt.

• Simple supermarket ingredients make it an approachable family recipe.

• Can be served as either a comforting main meal or generous side dish.

• Optional breadcrumbs create a crisp contrast to the creamy pasta.

• Beginner-friendly instructions make homemade baked mac and cheese achievable without complicated techniques.

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• Homemade Mac & Cheese (Creamy, Comforting & Family-Friendly)

• Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake (Family Favourite)

• Easy Sausage Pasta Bake (Family Favourite)

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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.

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