4.8 from 87 votes
Baked Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese
Mac and cheese with cream cheese is guaranteed to be the creamiest you’ve ever tasted. Make this comfort food recipe in just half an hour!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 723 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 8 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Toppings
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, loosely packed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Shred the mozzarella and cheddar cheese, set aside.
- In a large stock pot boil pasta in heavily salted water per package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking in a 13x9” casserole dish or 12" cast iron pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet add the butter and melt over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute. Add the milk and whisk to mix thoroughly. Whisk in the mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Lower the heat to simmer and cook for 4 minutes, the sauce will thicken.
- Add the cream cheese and stir to melt in the sauce. Add the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and stir to melt and incorporate. Sauce should be smooth. Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta and stir to mix in completely.
Cup of Yum
For Toasted Topping (optional)
- Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake for 20 minutes uncovered in 350°F oven, until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling. This should be enough for 8 large servings or 10 as a side.
Notes
- I do like to grate my own cheese as often times the pre-packaged, shredded does contain anti-caking agents like potato starch, which assists in thickening. We want creamy!
Nutrition Information
Calories
723kcal
(36%)
Carbohydrates
57g
(19%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
43g
(66%)
Saturated Fat
25g
(125%)
Cholesterol
122mg
(41%)
Sodium
850mg
(35%)
Potassium
360mg
(10%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1509IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
508mg
(51%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 723
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 723kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 57g | 19% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 43g | 66% |
| Saturated Fat | 25g | 125% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 850mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 360mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1509IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 508mg | 51% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.