0 from 12 votes
My Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This rich and creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect go-to crowd-pleaser, kid-winning, soul-warming recipe. You'll have it whipped up in under an hour & ready for the ultimate cheesy dinner.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 415 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni noodles
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 16 ounces cheese (I usually use a combo of 4 oz. muenster, 4 oz. gruyere 4-8 oz. sharp yellow or white cheddar, and 4-6 slices of provolone or havarti, if I have some on hand)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and return to the pot.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When the butter is completely melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk in to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, onion powder, creole seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika, then continue to cook, whisking frequently until slightly thickened, around 3-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese over the sauce and whisk it in until melted. Repeat with another 1/4 of the cheese.
- Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and stir to coat.
- Add 1/2 of the macaroni and cheese sauce to a 9x13-inch pan. Arrange 4 slices of cheese on top and sprinkle with another 1/4 of the shredded cheese. Spread the remaining pasta and sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 10-20 minutes until cheese it melted on top and everything is hot throughout.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
415kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
67mg
(22%)
Sodium
529mg
(22%)
Potassium
229mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
821IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
366mg
(37%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 415
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 415kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 529mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 229mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 821IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 366mg | 37% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.