Loaded with good sharp cheddar cheese, this cheddar mac and cheese recipe is the definition of comfort food and is perfect on its own or as a side. There is just something comforting about homemade macaroni and cheese - from a healthier version like baked butternut squash mac and cheese to something more decadent like smoked gouda bacon mac and cheese. But to be honest, there isn't much better or easier than this easy baked mac and cheese with good sharp cheddar. Christmas is just around the corner, which means many families will be getting together for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinners. Once I started to get into cooking, one of the first things I wanted to make was homemade baked macaroni and cheese. I made it a goal to have what I thought was the best mac and cheese recipe. And after experimenting, I believe I found it with this baked cheddar mac and cheese. The key? Lots of cheese! When writing this recipe, I was curious where my favorite dish originated from. According to legend, it was Thomas Jefferson who encountered macaroni in Paris and brought back the recipe to the states. Of course it was Kraft that made it famous in the mid 1930s. Now I've made plenty of mac and cheese recipes over the years with different types of cheese, but my go-to for dinner parties or family gatherings is this baked cheddar mac and cheese. Keep in mind it will taste different depending on the type of cheddar you buy. You can obviously just buy shredded cheddar cheese, but I go for the sharp or extra sharp blocks and shred myself. It adds five minutes but you can taste the difference! So if you haven't decided on what to make for the coming holiday parties, give this easy baked mac and cheese a try. Jump to:
Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
VariationsLike any recipe, you can mix up this baked mac and cheese to your liking. Some options include:
Making Ahead of TimePlease note this recipe is best to make right away as it loses some of its creaminess if made ahead. However if you want to make ahead:
FAQsWhat are the Best Cheeses for Baked Mac and Cheese? Obviously by looking at this recipe I believe good sharp cheddar is the only way to go when it comes to mac and cheese. I mean it is called baked cheddar mac and cheese for a reason. However Gruyère complements the cheddar great and adds extra creaminess. Can You Use Bagged Shredded Cheese for Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese? While you can use pre-shredded bagged cheese, you more than likely won't get that stringy, gooey cheese pull that you would get if you grated the cheese yourself. It also doesn't taste as good. Why No Crumb Topping? For this easy baked mac and cheese, to me the star is the cheese. You want that melted, crusty cheese texture that just adds to how good this recipe is. Can You Make Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time? Yes. Just prepare all the way to where the macaroni is in the baking dish. Cool before topping with the remaining cheese so it doesn't melt. Then refrigerate or freeze before baking the day you need it. How Long Will It Last? Just let your mac and cheese cool to room temperature before covering in airtight container or with aluminum foil. It will last in the fridge for about 3 days or the freezer for 3 months. How to Reheat? Place the macaroni & cheese into an oven-safe dish and only take out what you are using. Add 1 tablespoon of milk per 1 cup of baked mac and cheese and mix to incorporate. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
Other Mac and Cheese Recipes
If you’ve tried this baked cheddar mac and cheese recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to. Loaded with good sharp cheddar cheese, this baked mac and cheese recipe is the definition of comfort food and is perfect on its own or as a side. Prep Time15 mins Cook Time25 mins Total Time40 mins Course: Pasta Cuisine: American Servings: 12 Calories: 589kcal
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1100IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 640mg | Iron: 0.7mg I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below! Receive Top 25 RecipesReader InteractionsWhat is the best cheese combination for mac and cheese?For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.
What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese?Cheddar Cheese. Honestly, if you could only make your mac and cheese with one fromage for the rest of time, we would argue it *has* to be cheddar. ... . Monterey Jack. For a lusciously silky and mild macaroni, Monterey Jack is an excellent choice. ... . Colby. ... . Colby-Jack. ... . Gruyère Cheese. ... . Havarti. ... . Fontina. ... . Parmesan.. Is Block cheese good for mac and cheese?Use block cheese and shred, do not buy the pre-shredded cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is great for so many things but not macaroni and cheese. It's coated and won't melt properly. You need to shred it yourself for the best result.
Should you cover macaroni and cheese when baking in the oven?No, you don't cover it with foil as it will steam the insides instead of giving it a baked texture. What toppings can you put on baked mac and cheese? We love a good buttered panko or buttered ritz topping. Melt the butter in your skillet then toast the panko/ritz crackers in the melted butter until slightly toasted.
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