Mac and Cheese

Homemade Mac and Cheese Ingredients

We consider this the best mac and cheese recipe to make at home because it’s simple and made with a few fresh ingredients and pantry staples! You’re likely to have most of the items you need to make our delicious macaroni and cheese on any given night. That makes this recipe perfect for weeknight family dinners and weekend meals alike.

Macaroni: Elbow macaroni captures all the cheesy goodness of a from-scratch cheese sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to switch up this mac and cheese recipe, experiment with other pasta shapes like rotini, shells or cavatappi—just make sure to cook your noodles according to package instructions before combining them with your cheese sauce and baking the whole dish.

Butter, Flour, and Milk: These three form the base of the cheese sauce, adding creaminess, richness and flavor while helping to thicken the sauce and give it a smooth texture.

Cheddar Cheese: Flavorful cheddar brings tons of yumminess and a delightful gooeyness to your sauce. It also helps to hold the whole dish together, ensuring each bite of pasta is creamy and flavorful.

Seasonings: This macaroni and cheese recipe uses salt, pepper, ground mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to add flavor. You probably already have these handy condiments and seasonings in your cupboard or fridge!

What Are the Best Cheeses for Mac and Cheese?

Our cheese of choice for this mac and cheese recipe is family-favorite cheddar. You’ll notice that we recommend shredding or cubing it in our ingredients list for the best results. That’s because cheddar is a hard cheese, making it a bit more difficult to melt than softer cheeses. Shredding it makes things much easier. If you have a different favorite cheese or you’re just looking to switch up your usual choice of cheese for mac and cheese, we’ve got a few ideas.

Asiago: Asiago is a semi-hard cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. To substitute it for the usual cheddar in this mac and cheese recipe, we recommend shredding it and using up to 1 cup.

Parmesan: Parmesan is another popular option. This hard, dry cheese made from cow’s milk will give your baked mac and cheese a sharper, savory flavor. Add up to 1 cup of shredded parmesan instead of cheddar to try it out.

Blue or Gorgonzola: There are many different blue cheeses out there—the category name comes from the addition of harmless molds which give them their distinctive color and delicious flavor. We especially love using a tangy gorgonzola to make homemade mac and cheese. Crumble up to ½ cup to use in place of the cheddar for this macaroni and cheese recipe.

Other Shredded Cheeses: You have so many options for making this baked mac and cheese your very own. Pick your favorite and try it out as cheese for mac and cheese! White, smoked cheddar, Colby, edam, fontina, gouda (regular or smoked), gruyere, Havarti, Jarlsberg, manchego, Monterey Jack, and pepper Jack are all great options. Shred and substitute up to all of the cheddar for a unique twist on this dish.

How to Make Macaroni and Cheese

Here’s a brief breakdown of how to make mac and cheese. It’s deliciously simple! Once you’ve got an idea of the overall process, read on for our full step-by-step macaroni and cheese recipe.

Cook Macaroni

Mac and cheese starts with the all-important noodles, aka the vehicle for that cheesy sauce. They get cooked and drained first.

Make Your Cheese Sauce

While your noodles are cooking, let’s make the cheese sauce for this homemade mac and cheese. You’ll make the base first with butter, flour, salt, pepper, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Once things are smooth and bubbly, take your saucepan off the heat to stir in milk, then bring your mixture back to a boil. Next, melt your shredded cheese until you’re left with a smooth, creamy mixture that’s just too dang good.

Combine and Bake

Mix in your noodles, coating them all evenly in your tasty cheese sauce, then pour the whole thing into a casserole dish. Into the oven it goes—then out comes your new favorite baked mac and cheese, perfect for easy weeknight dinners and potlucks alike.

Delicious Mac and Cheese Toppings

Wondering how to make mac and cheese that really stands out? Chop your picks into bite-sized bits as needed, then sprinkle them over individual servings—or deck out your whole baked mac and cheese for an eye-catching centerpiece of a casserole. Feeding family or friends with varied tastes? Serve toppings separately and let everyone build their perfect bowl of mac! Here are some topping ideas for your homemade mac and cheese.

Breadcrumbs: There’s nothing like a crusty breadcrumb to bring just the right amount of crunch! Toast them on your own or go with store-bought—they’re both great options.

Green Onions or Herbs: Add some freshness and flavor to your macaroni and cheese with mild green onions (also called scallions) or herbs like parsley and thyme.

Diced Tomatoes: Colorful tomatoes will add a cool burst of flavor to your mac and cheese. Alternatively, you can add a little kick by choosing fire-roasted diced tomatoes!

Bacon: Crispy bacon is another great option for leveling up this dish while adding some crunch and flavor.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

Whether you’re baking up a simple weeknight dinner or bringing a dish along to a potluck with friends and family, this mac and cheese recipe is sure to satisfy. It makes a great side for picnics and holiday dinners alike. Try serving your baked mac and cheese alongside a whole brined turkey (check out this perfect brined turkey recipe) and veggie side for a mouth-watering holiday meal that’s sure to have people coming back for seconds. For even more great side options for the holidays, take a look at our roundups of Thanksgiving sides and Christmas side dishes.

This macaroni and cheese dish also makes a great meatless centerpiece for a low-key weekend lunch—serve a crisp green salad on the side, and you’re set. You can also get some veggies in by steaming or roasting favorites like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus. See what’s in season and what’s standing out in the produce section! For another option, serve your baked mac and cheese with a side of creamy coleslaw for a refreshing crunch and delicious tang.