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Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

Name: Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: Equal parts chicken broth & water (to boil macaroni); 3 cups macaroni (uncooked); 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup half-and-half; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened; 4 cups finely shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Gouda, Muenster, etc.); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

36 Ratings

23 Reviews

Prep 20 min
Total 45 min
Servings 6

This creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese is a true crowd pleaser—they’ll be requesting it for dinner every night! This Southern-inspired comfort food packs a wallop of homestyle flavors that both kids and adults will love. Plus, made from pantry-friendly ingredients (plus lots of cheese), it’s both accessible and affordable. What more could you want out of a baked pasta dish?

By TBSP Kitchens

Updated December 10, 2019

Ingredients

Equal parts chicken broth & water (to boil macaroni)
3 cups macaroni (uncooked)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
4 cups finely shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Gouda, Muenster, etc.)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps

1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with butter.
2

In a large pot, combine equal parts water and chicken broth just enough to cook your macaroni in. Bring to a boil on the stovetop. Add macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions (usually about 7-8 minutes). When macaroni is done, drain and set aside in a large pot or bowl.
3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Continuing to whisk, add in 1 cup chicken broth, half-and-half, and milk; continue whisking until fully combined. The mixture should steam but not boil, so adjust your heat accordingly. Add in the cream cheese and stir until completely melted.
4

Remove pot from heat and add in cheese, stirring until smooth. Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni, add black pepper and stir to combine.
5

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the greased 9x9-inch pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until slightly jiggly, making sure not to overcook. Once finished baking, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving, as the macaroni will set as it cools.

Top your baked mac and cheese with additional shredded cheddar cheese before it goes into the oven, if desired.
We like to throw a dash or two of paprika on this baked pasta dish before it goes in the oven.
While this baked macaroni and cheese recipe calls for specifically cheddar, mozzarella, Gouda and Munster cheese, any type of cheese will do. Add Pepper Jack cheese for a spicy twist or feta for a tangier dish.

No nutrition information available for this recipe

However you like to eat mac and cheese, we have a recipe for you. From the classics to the twists and stovetop versions to slow-cooker recipes, if you can dream it, we’ve got a recipe for it.