You don’t even need to boil the noodles! This Mac and cheese is great because it can be served for a quick lunch, but also at a fancy dinner. And it’s all made in one pot!
I can’t stress enough how easy this mac and cheese is to make, and how delicious it tastes. It’s made in one pot in the oven and requires no flour and no work at the stove top. It’s also a huge hit with my kids. We like to serve it alongside slow cooker pulled pork, slow cook ribs in the oven, and finish it off with key lime pie!
Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese
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Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- elbow macaroni – really any type of pasta will work for this mac and cheese recipe, but I’m partial elbows. They’re just so classic!
- cheddar cheese – I like to use a good sharp cheddar with lots of flavor. Make sure you purchase the cheese in a block and shred it yourself.
- mozzarella cheese – mozzarella cheese in macaroni and cheese might be a little surprising, but it mellows the flavor a little and adds that awesome cheese pull moment.
- nutmeg – nutmeg is not just for autumn – I know it sounds weird but trust me on this.
- paprika – not only does paprika taste great, but it helps give your macaroni and cheese that classic orangey yellow color.
- ground mustard – just enough to add some tang, we don’t want it tasting like a hot dog topping – although mac and cheese on hot dogs *is* delicious.
- salt & pepper – never skip the salt and pepper!
- heavy cream – well you didn’t expect creamy mac and cheese without the cream did you?
- optional: breadcrumbs and butter
How do you make homemade mac and cheese?
Our homemade mac and cheese is made with elbow noodles, two types of cheese, heavy cream, and a combination of spices. It’s incredibly simple and incredibly delicious.
The most exciting thing about our homemade macaroni and cheese is the fact that it tastes super amazing. The second most exciting thing is that it’s made in one pot, with no muss and no fuss. You literally combine the ingredients together and throw it all in the oven. You don’t even have to cook the pasta ahead of time!
Step-by-Step
⭐ First, add everything except panko and butter to a lidded oven/broiler safe dish. Push everything down so it’s all wet.
⭐ Then, bake COVERED. Remove from oven and stir – if you want traditional mac and cheese, serve now! BUT if you want baked style, continue to the next step.
⭐ Next, in a small bowl, stir together panko and melted butter then sprinkle over top of mac and cheese.
⭐ Finally, return to lower/middle rack of oven UNcovered, and broil until panko is golden brown.
*Making this for a holiday? Don’t forget the green bean casserole with crispy onions too!*
What can you add to mac and cheese to make it better?
I like to add a combination of spices to our mac and cheese to make it better. These spices include paprika, nutmeg, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. If you like spicy foods, you could also add a dash of sriracha or tabasco sauce!
One of the biggest things I think makes our macaroni and cheese better is that we don’t use flour. Flour in mac and cheese makes it grainy and clumpy and I’ll never understand why folks use it. This mac and cheese is made without flour, so it’s creamy delicious perfection.
What is the best cheese to use for macaroni and cheese?
The best cheese for macaroni and cheese is a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella, tempered with some heavy cream. This makes a creamy but flavorful cheese sauce for the macaroni while still having that classic cheese pull moment when you grab the noodles with your fork.
It’s also very important to use block cheese that you shred yourself when making mac and cheese. This is because pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti caking agents which can inhibit the cheese from melting properly.
How do you bake macaroni and cheese?
Technically our mac and cheese is baked from the beginning – which is part of what makes this recipe so fantastic. It’s one pot, no stove top fuss, and ridiculously simple. You don’t even have to cook the noodles ahead of time. It all happens in the oven.
And even though this macaroni and cheese is made in the oven, it actually tastes just like classic stove top mac and cheese until you add the panko bread crumbs and broil it at the end.
So, when I make this for my kids in the afternoon, I actually skip the second step and just serve it to them as regular creamy macaroni and cheese. If we have guests though, I totally do the breadcrumbs because, 1. it’s pretty, and 2. yummmmmm.
What to serve with mac and cheese?
This recipe goes great with classics like pork ribs made in the instant pot or Italian dressing chicken for veggies try our sautéed vegetables recipe. Or if you’re making it for the holidays, don’t miss out on slow cooker spiral ham and homemade cranberry sauce!
Making this for a BBQ? Try our easy potato salad recipe!
More Macaroni Recipes
Best Macaroni Salad | Easy Chili Mac | Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese | Tortellini and Pesto Casserole | One Pot Lasagna | Stir Fry Noodles Recipe
Tools we love
- Cheese Grater – Make sure you’re using block cheese for this macaroni and cheese recipe and grating it yourself! It will make a huge difference in texture and flavor!
- Enameled Dutch Oven – I love these pots so much! I have a set of this brand and also a set from QVC that I love!
- Stainless Steel Serving Spoon – Everyone needs a good serving spoon for their macaroni and cheese!
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How to Make Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 ounces mozzarella shredded
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups water
optional:
- 1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Add everything except panko and butter to a lidded oven/broiler safe dish. (I used a 4 quart enameled cast iron), and stir well. Push everything down so it's all wet.
- Bake COVERED at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
- Remove from oven and stir - if you want traditional mac and cheese, serve now! BUT if you want baked style, continue to the next step.
- In a small bowl, stir together panko and melted butter then sprinkle over top of mac and cheese.
- Return to lower/middle rack of oven UNcovered, and broil for 3 minutes until panko is golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I used a 4 court enameled cast iron dutch oven: DUTCH OVEN
- It is important to use block cheese that you shred yourself, not pre-shredded cheese, to avoid the addition of caking agents in your mac and cheese. Caking agents will not allow the cheese to melt smoothly.
Nutrition
Mac and Cheese
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Don’t forget dessert! We know how to make nutella brownies that you’ll love!
06-19-18
Deb Leonard says
Would a glasses casserole with a lid do for this and if so what size?
April says
Just make sure it’s broiler safe if you’re going to use the broiler, not all glass is. At least 4 quart capacity. Hope you love it!
Shiho says
Ohhh, I thought I could use any types of cheese. Thank you for sharing great information.
Madi says
Your mac and cheese looks so awesome! It would be so perfect for dinner tonight!
Sam says
I make mac & cheese as a main dish, so I’d want to add around 12 oz. of cooked, diced meats to this. Any recommendations? Thanks.
April says
cubed ham would be delicious!
Muriel says
Awesome …. from Alberta
THANK YOU. Muriel 👍👍
April says
SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED OUR MAC AND CHEESE! 🙂
Sybil NAPOLITANO says
I love no-boil pasta recipes. My question is if I add more cheese (total 2 cps) would it affect the recipe? Should I add more liquid?
Sybil NAPOLITANO says
Sorry, I am cutting recipe in half, that’s why I say total 2 cps. Four cups if 16 oz pasta.
April Woods says
In theory, you should not need additional liquid if you’re adding more cheese but I haven’t tested it with these specific modifications so I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try!