This truly is the BEST Macaroni and Cheese recipe ever! It’s loaded with three different kinds of cheese, is ultra-creamy, and is pretty much everything you could ever want out of homemade mac and cheese. You’re going to love it!
- Jump to Recipe
- Save Recipe
My love for carby, cheesy, salty, creamy, crunchy things is a love story that will go on until the end of time. Hey, I totally love and drink my protein green smoothies every day, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love a big bowl of homemade macaroni and cheesetoo!
You can have both things in your life. Balance…it’s all about balance!
We are happy to report that after testing many macaroni and cheese recipes we have THE BEST macaroni and cheese recipe ever for you!
Gooey, creamy, cheesy, and everything you could ever dream of in a homemade mac and cheese. We have created the best macaroni and cheese ever, and you’re going to be obsessed with it!
Ingredients You Will Need for the Best Macaroni and Cheese
This ingredient list may look long but don’t let it intimidate you, but all of them are crucial and needed to make the best homemade macaroni and cheese!
- Cornstarch
- Monterey Jack Cheese
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- Bread
- Butter
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Yellow Onion
- Ground Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Cream
How to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
For all the specifics for making this homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, head down to the recipe card. Here are the basic steps:
- Mix the Monterrey Jack and Cheddar Cheese with the cornstarch and set it aside.
- Preheat oven.
- Boil a large pot of water and add kosher salt and pasta.
- Cook the pasta. Drain it and set it aside.
- Put bread, butter, parmesan, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse until ground.
- Sauté onion with butter in a large skillet. Add the mustard, and then the milk and cream.
- Once the cream has a gentle boil, add the cheese and cornstarch mixture. Add Worcestershire, salt and pepper.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and fold everything together.
- Pour into a baking dish and top with the bread crumbs you created and bake.
What’s the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?
You can use sharp cheddar or white cheddar cheese.Smoked Gouda and Fontina are also good cheeses to use in macaroni and cheese.Monterey Jack is a good cheese to mix with another cheese of choice.
What’s the Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese?
My suggestion is to select a pasta with plenty of surface area and nooks and crannies to capture as much of that cheese sauce as possible.Stay away from long thin pasta like spaghetti and use pasta like shells, elbow macaroni, or penne. These are perfect for holding all the cheesy goodness!
What to Serve with Macaroni and Cheese
You can definitely make this easy baked macaroni and cheese recipe your main dish, but if you want to make it a feast, use this as a side dish and make on of these your main dish:
- Smoked Ribs
- Pulled Pork
- Sloppy Joes
- BBQ Chicken
Oh, and don’t forget to invite me!
Can Macaroni and Cheese Be Left Out?
Macaroni and cheese should not be left out for more than 2 hours.Bacteria can grow if it is left out longer.
How Long Will Mac and Cheese Keep?
Macaroni and cheese that is covered or stored in a container with a lid, will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat Macaroni and Cheese
This creamy macaroni and cheese can be gently reheated in the microwave. If reheating larger servings, cover with foil and reheat in a 350F oven until warmed through.
Can You Freeze Macaroni and Cheese?
Macaroni and cheese freezes very well.Put it in a container with a tight-fitting lid or in a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 18 months.
What Can You Substitute For Heavy Cream?
- You can combine milk and butter for an easy, foolproof substitute for heavy cream that’ll work for most recipes. Use 1/4 cup melted butter and 3/4 cup milk.
- You could also use half and half and butter or soy milk and olive oil. Use 7/8 of a cup of half and half and 1/8 cup melted butter or use 1/3 cup olive oil and 2/3 cup soy milk.
- Evaporated milk can also be a substitute for heavy cream in recipes. Substitute equal amounts of evaporated milk for heavy cream.
Can You Substitute Yellow Mustard For Ground Mustard?
Yes, substitute 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard for each teaspoon of ground mustard.
How Do You Know When Pasta Is Done?
The best way to tell if pasta is done is to taste it.Pasta should be cooked to al dente, which is firm to the taste. Once it bakes in the oven, it is perfection!
Tips for Making the BEST Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- For the cheeses:Buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese that you buy at the store. It won’t melt properly and get all yummy creamy.
- For the breadcrumb topping:We prefer making the breadcrumb topping ourselves. It tastes much fresher and crisper than the pre-made kind sold at the grocery store.
- For the cornstarch:The cornstarch is a key ingredient in this recipe as it helps thicken the sauce. If you can’t have corn, you may be able to use all-purpose flour or another substitute instead. I can’t say for sure that you’ll get the same results though!
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes You Will Love!
- 20 Minute Cheesy Pesto Pasta
- Spicy Queso Pasta Primavera
- Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheesy Pan-Fried Tortellini
- Instant Pot Southern Mac and Cheese
- Ham and Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
- Sweet Pork Macaroni and Cheese
Best Macaroni and Cheese
- Save
No ratings yet
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 45 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 55 minutes mins
Description
This truly is theBEST Macaroni and Cheese recipe ever! It's loaded with three different kinds of cheese, is ultra-creamy, and is pretty much everything you could ever want out of homemade mac and cheese.
Ingredients
For the mac and cheese:
- 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
- 8 Ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- 16 Ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
- 16 ounces Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, cubed
- 1/4 Cup Yellow Onion, minced
- 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard
- 3 Cups Whole Milk
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon Hot Sauce, *optional but you don't taste it
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
For the Topping
- 4 Slices Bread, torn into pieces
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
In a large bowl, toss together the cornstarch and cheeses. Set aside.
1/4 Cup Cornstarch, 8 Ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, 16 Ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling water, add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the pasta. Cook until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt, 16 ounces Elbow Macaroni Noodles
For the Topping
Pulse the bread, 2 tablespoons of butter, parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a processor until coarsely ground.
4 Slices Bread, 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese, 2 Tablespoons Butter, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add the mustard and stir to combine. Add the milk and cream and bring to a simmer.
4 Tablespoons Butter, 1/4 Cup Yellow Onion, 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard, 3 Cups Whole Milk, 2 Cups Heavy Cream
Bring the cream up to a gentle boil and add in the cornstarch and cheese mixture, whisking until smooth. Add worcestershire and hot sauce (optional) and season with the salt and pepper to taste.
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1/4 teaspoon Hot Sauce, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Add the pasta and fold everything together.
Pour into a buttered 9x13-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake 10 minutes.
Notes
Macaroni and cheese can be frozen for up to 18 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 502kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 19gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 742mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1413IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 572mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 50 of our Best Easy Pasta Recipes
Cuisine: American
Recommended Products
REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO our FREE Oh Sweet Basil NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE EASY RECIPES DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX EVERY DAY!
When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories! FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.
