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This is THE best creamy baked mac and cheese recipe.
I’ve been on a mission lately to conquer Macaroni and Cheese. Earlier in the year I was working out my pie dough issues, and I finally prevailed. (Results seen here.) Next up, I needed to grab Mac and Cheese by the hair, wrestle it to the ground, and scratch it’s eyes out. Or, you know, just learn how to make a creamy cheddar cheese sauce that wasn’t all grainy and gross.
Mission accomplished.
I asked for mac and cheese advice on my facebook page a couple of weeks ago and was directed to an Ina Garten recipe. I had that bad boy whipped up almost immediately and I fell in love.
Things got even stranger the next day when I reheated the leftovers for breakfast. What? Quit looking at me that way. I’m an adult and I’ll eat whatever I want for breakfast.
I only even attempted to reheat the macaroni and cheese because it was so delicious and creamy the first time. Usually mac and cheese does not reheat well at all and I just toss what we don’t eat in the garbage.
Surprise!
This creamy baked macaroni and cheese was even yummier reheated than it was the first day! It stayed creamy and moist, but the noodles did that thing that noodles do in the fridge overnight. You know. The magic thing. Where they get yummier.
Creamy mac and cheese recipe with a tomato surprise
Don’t freak out about the tomatoes on top of this yummy dish, either. I’ve tried it both ways, and the tomatoes really add something to the mac and cheese. You can certainly pick the slices off and not eat them, but they still contribute an amazing flavor to the whole dish.
I think of this as more of a grown up mac and cheese, because the flavors have a bit more depth from the use of Gruyere cheese instead of just straight cheddar. I also added Parmesan to the topping which really took that up a notch. My daughter still loved this “grown up” version just as much as the classic velveeta kind I sometimes make. Don’t judge.
My son? No. He doesn’t eat macaroni and cheese. As much as it pains me to say it, he doesn’t really like cheese that much.
When we have taco night, I grab the biggest handful of freshly grated cheddar and stuff it all on my taco. He, on the other hand, picks out one shred of cheese, tears it in half, and then puts one half on his taco and hands the other half to me. You think I’m joking or exagerating, but that is the truth, y’all. A half of a shred of cheese. It hurts my heart.
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni or penne pasta
- 1 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces Gruyere grated
- 6 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar grated
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 small fresh tomatoes sliced thinly
- 3/4 cups fresh white bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta for one minute less than package directions state. Drain.
- Heat the milk and cream in a small saucepan, but don't let it boil.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium sized pot and add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, over low heat for 2 minutes.
- Continue whisking and slowly pour in the hot milk and cream. Cook for another 2 minutes until thickened and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the Gruyere, Cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the cooked macaroni and stir to coat.
- Pour into a pie plate or other dish of similar size.
- Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top.
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and mix it with the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Sprinkle on top of the tomatoes.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bread crumbs are brown and crispy.
Nutrition Information:
adapted from Ina Garten
Sha ferg says
I stick to traditional mac and cheese but wanted you to know that you do not need to throw out unused food. Store in individual zip loc bags and freeze. You can easily warm up in pressure cioker or oven.
Darlene says
I have to try this recipe. I found one several years ago for a gouda and bacon macaroni and cheese that has become my go-to recipe. But this one has me curious.
Karly says
Gouda mac sounds amazing!
Carolyn @ Cabot says
Great recipe….love the tomatoes on top.
Mary @ StrawmarySmith says
This mac & cheese caught my eye while I was scrolling down your page, and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull! Wow this looks so creamy, and I love the bread crumb topping for that little extra crunch with every creamy bite!
Cloey says
Do I need a tablespoon of salt here? Sounds a lot to me but want to make sure before cooking! Thanks!!
Karly says
You can use less if you like, but 1 tablespoon is what I use. 🙂
Karly says
You can use less if you like, but I do use the full tablespoon.
Jean says
I am not a cheese eater but had to eat mac n cheese growing up (everything that was cooked you had to eat) so I do eat alot of things that I don’t like. I am worse than your son, I don’t put any cheese on my tacos, I go to a Mexican restaurant and order my meal without cheese. I will try this recipe because I cook for people who love cheese and they will probably love it.
Karly says
Eek! Mexican without cheese…not right. 😉
Hope your family enjoys the mac and cheese!
Kanmani says
oh it’s perfect .I like it very much 🙂
Phyllis says
after the Mac n cheese has set up in the fridge, slice it and fry it in butter. Yummy!
Liz says
Nice recipe. Thank you.