Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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100% this is my go-to best selling creamy mac and cheese recipe. I reach for it every time we have company at the house, going to a bbq, or just need a comfort food weeknight type of meal. This mac and cheese with chicken broth is creamy underneath with plenty of stringy crispy cheesy perfection on top.

This macaroni casserole is definitely a favorite for kids. In our house, for a bit more fun, we make stripes with the cheese and call it zebra mac and cheese! The kids love it.

Baked casseroles make the ultimate comfort food meals! Rich, hearty and so satisfying. Since everything cooks up in one pan, usually all you need as a side is a simple veggie such as broccoli or some French bread. This copycat Sizzler cheese toast also makes a tasty side for casseroles.

Need more family-favorite casseroles for some inspiration? I think you'll love three cheese Italian pasta bake and this chicken veggie quinoa bake.

Why This Recipe Works

• Family favorite meal. Kid and adults love creamy baked mac and cheese.
• Easy preparation and simple ingredients.
• Makes a hearty main dish or a side dish for Instant pot chicken and other comfort food meals.

Ingredients

What makes this mac and cheese better than others? We know how to create the ultimate creaminess with perfect balance of flavor. Let me tell you how.

• Pasta: Elbow macaroni is the traditional noodle for mac and cheese but you can use any short pasta you prefer.
• Cream cheese: We like the extra cheesiness and flavor from cream cheese but if needed you can sub sour cream.
• SHARP cheddar cheese: It's essential that you use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. We use half white cheddar and half yellow cheddar to create the stripes on the top!
• Roux: Use real butter and flour to create the base of the cheese sauce. Butter adds a richness of flavor right from the start.
• Milk and chicken broth: Added to the roux to make the sauce for creamy mac and cheese. Chicken broth isn't commonly used to make mac and cheese, but we find it works great in place of half the milk and adds more flavor.

What's the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?

Repeat after me... SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE. Let sharp cheddar cheese be your BFF when making dishes like mac and cheese, cheesy soup or anything that involves a roux+cheddar (like this Wisconsin cheddar cauliflower soup).

WHY? because by the time you make your roux, add your milk, broth, and cheese the cheddar flavor will be quite flavorless if you don't use a cheese that really packs a punch!

How to Make Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese

SO easy, and pretty darn fast. Let me tell you how.

1. Start by melting your butter on medium heat and whisking in your flour.Whisk and let cook until the flour butter mixture (the roux) has bubbled for about minute. This helps the flour taste to cook out.
2. While whisking stir in your broth.
3. Add in the cream cheese and let it melt. If you are in a pinch you can sub cream cheese with sour cream.
4. Continue storing until cream cheese melts into roux and smooths out.

1. Now that you have your base lets add the cheese!
2. Stir over medium heat, careful to NOT LET THE SAUCE BOIL. Stir until the cheese melted and combined with base.
3. Dump in your cooked noodles!

Mix everything together!

Add you mac and cheese to a 9x13 pan (or individual bake proof dishes) and top with cheese. If you're making zebra mac and cheese alternate the cheddar and mozzarella.

But what's also incredible? Adding a bit more cheese on top and browning it juuuuust right. SO GOOD.

More Pasta Dinners for Families

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