Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese

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Baked mac & cheese is one of those comfort foods that you just love to have year round!

Baked mac & cheese is a family favorite around here. It is the perfect side dish for many of our meals and can even be eaten by itself it’s so good! Looking for an easy yet delicious side for dinner? You have come to the right place. This recipe is simple and very easy to follow. The buttery cheesiness is my favorite part and the baked cheese on the top is just perfection!

This mac & cheese recipe will be a staple in my household for many years to come! When my husband asks for baked mac & cheese from time to time this is the recipe that I use. I have also made this for Thanksgiving many times and we never have any leftovers! Thanksgiving mac & cheese is a big deal so when people like it you definitely feel good about yourself.

My mom gave me this recipe when I moved 0ver 2,000 miles away from home and I had to make Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. I have never tried to find another recipe and I have just added a few changes to it over time. It is my little piece of home away from home and it tastes amazing!

Ingredients for baked mac & cheese. Butter is not pictured here.

Ingredients in Baked Mac ‘n Cheese

Elbow noodles– Any brand will work for this simple delicious recipe. You will use the regular sized elbow noodles. I have used different brands and it always comes out so yummy!

Butter– This is for that delicious butter flavor that mac ‘n cheese has. You will coat all of the noodles in some unsalted butter. Do not miss this step. I have before and it did not taste the same.

Salt and pepper– This is to give the dish a little seasoning and flavor.

Shredded cheese– I like to use the Colby & monterey jack cheese with a mix of mild cheddar cheese. This will be a preference thing here because some people like sharp cheddar in their mac ‘n cheese and you are more than welcome to use that here.

Milk– This is needed to keep everything all together and nice and creamy as well without being to full of fat the way half and half or other milks and creams are. I have used skim milk in this recipe, and it is just as delicious as whole milk. I do not recommend nut milks or soy milk. Definitely go with cow’s milk. Mustard– This is the secret ingredient that you do not even know is in the dish! It gives a hint of flavor and a bit of yellow color as well and you only use a tiny amount.

Tips for the Best Baked Mac ‘n Cheese

  • Do not overbake the mac ‘n cheese because it will dry out and stick to the pan. Speaking from experience here.
  • Do not overfill the pan because it will bubble and overflow out while baking. I suggest placing a lined cookie sheet underneath your pan of mac ‘n cheese while baking to prevent your oven from getting dirty.
  • Do not use too much mustard because you do not want the mustard flavor to overpower the dish.
  • Stick to the recipe and instructions for best results.

How to Make the Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese

  1. In a medium saucepan, add water and salt and bring to a boil.
  2. Add elbow noodles to the boiling water and boil them until al dente.
  3. While noodles are boiling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Drain your noodles when they are done.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, mix noodles & butter.
  6. Mix in black pepper, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 ½ cups of shredded Colby & monterey jack cheese.
  7. Place mixture in a baking pan.
  8. In a separate bowl, mix together milk and mustard until the milk is a pale yellow.
  9. Pour over the noodle and cheese mixture. You should be able to see milk through the noodles at the top.
  10. Sprinkle remaining cheese on the top of the noodles and place the pan in the oven.
  11. Bake for 1 hour. A fork inserted should come out clean and not pull any noodles up.
  12. Allow it to cool down a bit before serving.
  13. Enjoy!
Print Recipe

Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese

This baked mac & cheese recipe is the easiest and the cheesiest! Definitely give it a try and fall in love.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish
Servings: 10
Author: mamabrisrecipes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Water
  • 2 cups Elbow noodles
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup Butter unsalted
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 cups Colby Monterey jack cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 3 cups Milk skim
  • 1 tsp Mustard yellow

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, add water and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Add elbow noodles to the boiling water and boil them until al dente.
  • While noodles are boiling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Drain your noodles when they are done.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix noodles & butter until butter is melted and coating every noodle.
  • Mix in black pepper, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 ½ cups of shredded Colby & monterey jack cheese.
  • Place mixture in a baking pan.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together milk and mustard until the milk is a pale yellow.
  • Pour over the noodle and cheese mixture. You should be able to see milk through the noodles at the top.
  • Sprinkle remaining cheese on the top of the noodles and place the pan in the oven.
  • Bake for 1 hour. A fork inserted should come out clean and not pull any noodles up.
  • Allow it to cool down a bit before serving.
  • Enjoy!