Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – The ultimate comfort food, ready in 30 minutes. After making this dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the creamiest, most irresistible mac and cheese. It’s all about the roux and the right cheeses. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump straight to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Mango Curd Tart Recipe.

What You'll Need for Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (960ml) whole milk
• 8 oz (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 oz (225g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 cup (55g) Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dry mustard
• Optional: Broccoli florets
• Optional: Bacon bits
• Optional: Sautéed mushrooms
• Optional: Jalapeños
• Optional: Chives or green onions, for garnish

How to Make Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

1. Cook the pasta: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in milk. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheeses, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard until melted and smooth. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
3. Transfer to baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer pasta and cheese mixture to a 9×13-inch (23×33-cm) baking dish. Sprinkle with Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives or green onions if desired.

Storing & Reheating Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the dish ahead of time, but don't bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.

Freezing Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Using a mix of cheeses gives the best flavor. You can substitute with your favorite cheese blend.
• Best substitution: For a lower-carb version, use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
• Make-ahead: You can assemble the dish ahead of time, but don't bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce.

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins

⏱

Prep

10 mins

🍳

Cook

25 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

High-protein

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (960ml) whole milk
• 8 oz (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 oz (225g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 cup (55g) Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dry mustard

Optional Toppings

• Broccoli florets
• Bacon bits
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Jalapeños
• Chives or green onions, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in milk. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheeses, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard until melted and smooth. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
3. Transfer to baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer pasta and cheese mixture to a 9×13-inch (23×33-cm) baking dish. Sprinkle with Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives or green onions if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: Using a mix of cheeses gives the best flavor. You can substitute with your favorite cheese blend.
• Best substitution: For a lower-carb version, use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
• Make-ahead: You can assemble the dish ahead of time, but don't bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
• Make ahead: You can assemble the dish ahead of time, but don't bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 520
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 26g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sat. Fat: 15g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Cozy Comfort in 30 Mins and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!