Creamiest and Cheesiest Oven-Baked Mac & Cheese
About this recipe
This Creamiest and Cheesiest Oven-Baked Mac & Cheese is a total crowd-pleaser and perfect for any gathering, especially with the holidays approaching. It's rich, creamy, and loaded with cheese, making it a cheese lover's dream come true!
In this recipe, Cooking Con Claudia shares her easy method for achieving that gooey, cheesy goodness that everyone loves. With a blend of sharp cheddar, medium cheddar, and Colby Jack cheeses, plus a few simple spices, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredient notes
- Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese to avoid a powdery mouthfeel in the sauce.
- The recipe calls for 1 cup of additional cheese for topping, which is optional but recommended for an extra cheesy finish.
Tips from Cooking Con Claudia’s video
- Cook the elbow pasta until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Make sure to whisk the heavy cream and milk into the butter and flour mixture thoroughly to achieve a smooth cheese sauce.
- Broil the mac and cheese for 2 minutes on high after baking for a crispy top, if desired.
Good to know
- How many servings does this recipe make?
- This recipe serves 6-8 people.
- What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- How long do I bake the mac and cheese?
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes.
- What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
- The recipe uses elbow pasta.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Cooking Con Claudia: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Cook the elbow pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.
- 2
In the same pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- 3
Add the all-purpose flour and spices (ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt) to the melted butter. Mix and cook for about 2 minutes.
- 4
Whisk in the heavy cream and whole milk. Allow the mixture to thicken for about 5 minutes.
- 5
Slowly add the freshly grated cheeses (sharp cheddar, medium cheddar, and Colby Jack) to the sauce, stirring until fully melted and combined.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
- 7
Layer half of the macaroni in the greased baking dish, sprinkle with some cheese, then add the remaining macaroni and top with more cheese.
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- 9
Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The additional cheese for topping was inferred based on common mac and cheese practices.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from Cooking Con Claudia’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
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