Are you in pursuit of the ultimate comfort food? That gloriously golden, bubbling bake of cheesy pasta that provides a comforting warmth from the very first bite? Your search ends here. We believe a truly exceptional mac and cheese must be rich, creamy, and wonderfully cheesy, all crowned with a perfectly crisp topping. It’s with this philosophy that we have perfected our ultimate Baked Mac Cheese Recipe Cheesy Casserole. This is more than just a simple meal; it’s a comforting embrace in a dish, destined to become a firm family favourite for any occasion.

We are here to guide you through each straightforward step, from crafting a velvety-smooth cheese sauce to achieving that wonderfully crunchy topping. Say goodbye to disappointing, dry macaroni bakes; our technique guarantees that every forkful is bursting with flavour and a sumptuously creamy texture. Let’s begin this journey to create the finest mac and cheese you’ve ever had.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultimate Creaminess and Flavour: We combine a trio of carefully selected cheeses, melted into a traditional béchamel, to create a rich, smooth, and deeply flavourful sauce that generously coats every piece of pasta.
• A Glorious Golden Crust: The buttery breadcrumb layer bakes to a beautiful golden-brown, offering a satisfying textural crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy pasta below.
• Loved by Everyone: This is the type of dish that vanishes from the table in no time. It’s a sure-fire winner with both kids and grown-ups, making it ideal for family meals, gatherings, or a quiet evening in.
• Effortless to Prepare: Although it has the taste and appearance of a gourmet creation, the process is simple and easy to follow. We’ve broken everything down to ensure even beginner cooks can achieve outstanding results.
• A Versatile Foundation: Think of this recipe as a brilliant starting point. Feel free to incorporate your favourite additions, such as crispy bacon, caramelised onions, or even a kick of spicy jalapeños to truly make it your own.

Ingredients

• 400g macaroni or other short pasta
• 70g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
• 70g plain flour
• 1 litre whole milk, slightly warmed
• 1 tsp English mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 250g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 150g Gruyère cheese, grated
• 100g Mozzarella, grated (the low-moisture block kind, not fresh)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 75g panko breadcrumbs (or fresh breadcrumbs)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Mastering the Ultimate Baked Mac Cheese Recipe

Creating the perfect Baked Mac Cheese is a truly satisfying experience. We have structured our method into three essential phases: preparing the core elements, making the luxurious cheese sauce, and finally, assembling and baking your creation until it reaches golden-brown perfection. Follow our lead, and you’ll become a mac and cheese connoisseur.

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta and Crispy Topping

The secret to a superb bake starts with getting the basics spot on. It’s vital that our pasta is cooked correctly and our topping is prepared and ready for its starring role.

1. Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pan with salted water and bring it to a vigorous boil. Tip in the macaroni and cook following the packet directions, but reduce the time by 2 minutes. You want it to be very “al dente,” as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Take a large ovenproof dish (approximately a 2-litre capacity) and grease it generously with butter.
3. Prepare the Topping: In a small mixing bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until all the crumbs are evenly coated. This easy technique is the key to achieving a consistently crisp and golden topping. Set this bowl aside for later.

Step 2: Create a Velvety Smooth Cheese Sauce

The sauce is the very heart of any memorable Mac Cheese Recipe. We are going to make a classic béchamel—a simple white sauce—and elevate it with a generous amount of cheese. For a more detailed look at mastering white sauces, BBC Good Food offers an excellent guide.

1. Make the Roux: In a large, heavy-based saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 70g of unsalted butter over a medium heat. Once it has fully melted, whisk in the plain flour. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring all the time, to eliminate the raw flour taste. This foundational paste is known as a “roux.”
2. Gradually Add the Milk: Swap your spatula for a whisk. Start pouring in the warm milk, just a small amount at a time, whisking energetically after each addition to create a smooth, lump-free sauce. When all the milk has been incorporated, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. Thicken the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5-8 minutes, or until it has thickened enough to elegantly coat the back of a spoon.
4. Melt the Cheeses: Take the saucepan off the heat. This is a vital step to stop the sauce from turning grainy. Add the grated Cheddar and Gruyère, followed by the mustard powder, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Stir continuously until the cheeses have fully melted, resulting in a smooth and luscious sauce.
5. Season to Perfection: Give the sauce a taste and season it well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Keep in mind that the pasta is plain, so the sauce needs to carry the flavour.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake Your Cheese Casserole

This is where the magic happens! It’s time to unite all the components to form the ultimate cheesy Cheese Casserole. The aroma that will soon fill your home is absolutely wonderful.

1. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Tip the drained macaroni into the saucepan containing your cheese sauce. Stir gently to ensure every piece of pasta is lovingly coated in that glorious sauce.
2. Add the Final Cheese: Now, stir in the grated mozzarella. We add it at this stage to achieve that irresistible, stringy “cheese pull” that everyone adores.
3. Transfer to the Baking Dish: Carefully pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into your prepared ovenproof dish, spreading it out into a smooth, even layer.
4. Add the Topping: Generously sprinkle the buttered panko breadcrumbs all over the surface of the macaroni.
5. Bake to Perfection: Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. It’s ready when the topping is a deep golden brown and the sauce is bubbling merrily around the sides.
6. Rest and Garnish: Carefully remove the Baked Macaroni from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes. This little rest allows the sauce to settle, making it much easier to serve. Garnish with some chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations

While we think our recipe is superb just as it is, we always encourage a bit of culinary exploration. Making a dish your own is half the enjoyment, just as you might with our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe.

• Cheese Choice: Don’t hesitate to try other cheese combinations. Smoked Gouda, Monterey Jack, or even a touch of Parmesan can introduce exciting new layers of flavour. A good rule of thumb is to use one cheese for melting and another for taste.
• Protein Power: For a more substantial meal, consider stirring in some cooked and crispy bacon pieces, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crumbled browned sausage.
• Veggie Boost: Mix in some steamed broccoli florets, sautéed mushrooms, or sweet caramelised onions with the pasta before you bake it. Adding vegetables is a fantastic way to boost nutrients in a casserole, a method we also use in our Low Carb Chicken Casserole.
• A Touch of Spice: If you enjoy a bit of warmth, a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely diced red chilli added to the cheese sauce will do the trick nicely.

FAQ

The Only Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Ever Need

And there we have it—our complete guide to creating the most indulgent and delightful Baked Mac Cheese Recipe Cheesy Casserole you can imagine. By following our method, you have learned the secrets to building a deep, flavourful, and creamy sauce and combining it with perfectly cooked pasta for a truly magnificent result. This is not just a recipe; it is a homage to comfort food at its most delicious.

The next time you feel the call for cheesy, comforting goodness, we hope this recipe is the one you reach for. Put on your apron, assemble your ingredients, and get ready for a wonderful culinary experience. We would love to hear how your bake turned out, so please feel free to leave a comment below and share any personal touches you added!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 400g macaroni or other short pasta
• 70g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
• 70g plain flour
• 1 litre whole milk, slightly warmed
• 1 tsp English mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 250g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 150g Gruyère cheese, grated
• 100g Mozzarella, grated (the low-moisture block kind)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 75g panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4) and generously grease a large ovenproof dish (approx. 2-litre).
2. Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions to ensure it’s “al dente”. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tbsp of melted butter until evenly coated. Set aside.
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 70g of butter. Whisk in the plain flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
5. Gradually pour in the warm milk, whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free sauce.
6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring often, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the grated Cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, mustard powder, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is luscious and smooth.
8. Taste the sauce and season generously with salt and black pepper.
9. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat every piece. Then, stir in the grated mozzarella.
10. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
11. Sprinkle the buttered panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is a deep golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
13. Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.