
Baked Macaroni and Cheese – The creamiest, cheesiest mac and cheese baked to a golden perfection! What could be better? This baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It goes great by itself or as a side dish!
This recipe serves about 4 people. Cooking for a crowd? Simply double the recipe and bake in a 9″x13″ baking dish.
What ingredients do I need to make this recipe?
- elbow macaroni
- butter
- all-purpose flour
- mik
- salt
- pepper
- cheddar cheese
- cream cheese
- mustard
- breadcrumbs – I used panko

What tools do I need?

How to make creamy baked macaroni and cheese:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: For the sauce: In a medium saucepan, add butter and melt over low heat. Add flour to the melted butter and stir until well incorporated and mixture thickens. Turn burner up to medium heat and slowly add the milk, about a half cup at a time. Continue to stir the sauce until it begins to lightly simmer and thicken. Then, add salt, pepper, mustard and stir. Turn the burner off and add 1-3/4 cups cheddar cheese and the cream cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
Step 4: Pour elbow macaroni into an 8×8 baking dish. Evenly pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and give a light stir to make sure macaroni are fully coated in cheese sauce. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese on top.
Step 5: Bake for 18-20 minutes, until top is golden. Do not over bake to keep creamy consistency on the inside.
Recipe Notes:
If your mac and cheese is not getting a golden top in the oven, carefully place in the broiler for about a minute.

Here are some more of my favorite Holiday side dishes you’ll love!
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Holiday Brussels Sprouts
- Green Bean Casserole
- Holiday Stuffing

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups mik
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- For the sauce: In a medium saucepan, add butter and melt over low heat. Add flour to the melted butter and stir until well incorporated and mixture thickens. Turn burner up to medium heat and slowly add the milk, about a half cup at a time. Continue to stir the sauce until it begins to lightly simmer and thicken. Then, add salt, pepper, mustard and stir. Turn the burner off and add 1-3/4 cups cheddar cheese and the cream cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
- Pour elbow macaroni into an 8×8 baking dish. Evenly pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and give a light stir to make sure macaroni are fully coated in cheese sauce. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until top is golden. Do not over bake to keep creamy consistency on the inside.
Notes

Hi, what kind of mustard? Ground spice mustard or some type of mustard spread. Thanks!
Yellow mustard works best in this recipe but you can also use dijon or stone ground. 🙂