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Home / Does Half and Half Make Mac and Cheese Creamy

Does Half and Half Make Mac and Cheese Creamy

Long collage image of Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe on a wooden spoon with text title box

Text title box over a close up shot of a bowl of creamy baked mac and cheese

Creamy baked mac and cheese recipe served in a blue bowl with text title box at top

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Ooey, gooey and oh-so-cheesy! This Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is the best mac and cheese recipe that you'll ever taste. A made-from-scratch sauce with two different types of cheese creates the smoothest, richest, creamiest casserole. Kids and adults devour this old-fashioned, homemade side dish!

Close up shot of a spoonful of creamy baked mac and cheese

How to Make Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese | 1-Minute Video

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

There are as many different baked macaroni and cheese recipes as there are home cooks. In the South, baked mac and cheese is typically just a simple combination of pasta, eggs, butter, milk and cheese.The eggs set up to create a firm casserole that you can slice into squares to serve. If you prefer that style dish, try my favorite Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. This recipe, by contrast, uses a roux to make a creamy béchamel that coats the noodles in sauce. If you're looking for the ultimate creamy baked mac and cheese recipe, then you've come to the right place!

How to Keep Mac and Cheese Creamy

I'm sharing a handful of tips to help keep your baked mac and cheese creamy, smooth and saucy.

  • First, no eggs. Unlike the Southern-style mac and cheese, this creamy version does not include eggs. The eggs help to "set" the casserole, giving it a firm, dry texture. Since that's not what we're going for here, you'll need to leave out the eggs.
  • Next, lots of sauce. We're not skimping on cheese, milk or cream in this dish. We'll make plenty of cheese sauce to coat the noodles. It looks like a lot of sauce, but you need that amount in order to keep the dish creamy in the oven.
  • Velveeta cheese. That's right, I said it. Blasphemy?! Maybe! But trust me here: Velveeta (or "American cheese") melts smoothly into the sauce giving the mac and cheese a rich, creamy texture that you just can't quite replicate with other types of cheese.
  • Baking Time. This casserole goes in the oven at a low temperature (325 degrees F) for just 15 minutes. This short baking time is important because it's just long enough to melt the cheese on top and get the noodles hot inside, but it's not so long that it dries out the pasta and sauce. If you like a crispier crust on top, you can pop it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.

What are the best cheeses for baked mac and cheese?

As I mentioned above, the secret to creamy baked mac and cheese is Velveeta cheese! This American cheese just melts smoother than other cheeses and gives the sauce that creamy mouthfeel that we're all looking for. I've found that an equal ratio of cheddar cheese and Velveeta cheese yields the best of both worlds -- a smooth, creamy mac and cheese with plenty of rich, sharp cheddar flavor.

If you like a combination of other cheeses, you can feel free to replace some of the cheddar (or even some of the Velveeta) with other good melting cheeses. Try Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss or mozzarella. The options are endless, so pick your favorites!

Cheese for broccoli and cheese soup recipe

Do you need to bake mac and cheese?

Creamy mac and cheese recipes that start with a roux-based sauce (like this one), do not need to be baked before serving. A creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe is designed to go straight from the pot to the plate -- no oven necessary. You could also serve this mac and cheese without baking -- it will just be really saucy. By contrast, Southern-style mac and cheese recipes must be baked in order to cook the egg and help the dish set.

Overhead image of creamy baked mac and cheese on a wooden table

How to Make Baked Mac and Cheese with Velveeta

This homemade mac and cheese is an ideal side dish that you can prep ahead for special holidays like Thanksgiving or for large family suppers. Assemble it in advance and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days! You can also serve the mac and cheese as a main course for dinner. Throw in some shredded chicken or diced ham, add veggies like steamed broccoli or frozen peas, and you've got a delicious and satisfying meal in one pan. The simple, old-fashioned combination of pasta and cheese is always crowd-pleasing!

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

  • Elbow macaroni pasta
  • Butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Milk (whole or 2%)
  • Half-and-half
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Velveeta cheese
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt, dry mustard, black pepper, and nutmeg

Step 1: Boil Macaroni

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water just until barely al dente. Drain and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Cooked elbow macaroni in a red Dutch oven

Step 2: Make Cheese Sauce

While the pasta boils, make the roux with butter, flour, milk and half-and-half.

Pot of milk and cream for mac and cheese sauce

Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, cheeses and seasoning.

Cheese sauce for baked mac and cheese with velveeta

Step 3: Add Pasta to Sauce

Stir in the cooked pasta until all of the noodles are coated in the creamy sauce.

Process shot of how to make creamy baked mac and cheese

Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13-inch (3-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.

Mac and cheese in casserole dish before baking

Step 4: Bake

Bake in a 325 degree F oven for about 15 minutes. The dish is ready when the cheese is melted on top and the inside is hot and bubbly.

Overhead image of a casserole dish full of creamy baked mac and cheese

What to Serve with Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese is a hearty, delicious and satisfying casserole on its own.Serve it as a dinner entrée and your family will be thrilled! Just add a simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or Southern Collard Greens on the side, or mix in chicken, ham or veggies with the pasta.

The homemade mac and cheese is also an easy side dish that goes well with any of these meals:

  • Meatloaf
  • Crispy Fried Chicken
  • Fried Chicken Tenders
  • Roast Chicken
  • Dutch Oven Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Oven Roasted Turkey
  • Pineapple Glazed Ham or Crock Pot Ham with Cola Glaze
  • Glazed Ham Steaks
  • Crock Pot Pulled Pork or Cider-Braised Pulled Pork
  • Mississippi Roasted Pork Shoulder
  • Sour Cream Chicken
  • Baked BBQ Pork Chops or BBQ Chicken Breast
  • Crispy Southern Fried Catfish
  • Fried Shrimp
Horizontal shot of a bowl full of creamy macaroni and cheese

Make Ahead

To prep the mac and cheese ahead of time, assemble the dish as instructed, but do not bake. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 1-2 days. When ready to bake, allow the dish to come to room temperature on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.

Storage

Store leftover baked macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in therefrigerator for 3-4 days. I donot recommend freezing this mac and cheese. The texture of the pasta will be mushy when thawed, and the milk-based sauce will break.

Can you bake leftover mac and cheese?

Yes, you can reheat leftovers in the oven or in the microwave. Cover the dish loosely with foil and reheat in a 325 degree F oven just until warmed through. You can remove the foil cover during the final few minutes to allow the top to brown or the edges to get crispy.

To reheat individual servings, just cover loosely and microwave for about 30 seconds (or until warm).

Wooden spoon serving creamy mac and cheese from a dish

Recipe Variations -- Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

  • Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Bread Crumbs: For a crunchy topping, combine ¾ cup panko bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle on top of the dish before baking. Buttered Ritz cracker crumbs or buttered seasoned breadcrumbs would also work well.
  • Bacon: add cooked, chopped bacon to the topping (or to the inside of the casserole).
  • Add veggies (such as steamed broccoli or frozen peas) to make it a full meal. You can also stir in somecooked, chopped chicken or ham.
  • Seasoning: Add a touch of paprika, some garlic powder, or a dash of cayenne for spicy kick!

Tips for the Best Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

  • Boil the pasta in verywell-salted water. The salt in the water seasons the noodles, adding flavor to the dish.
  • Cook the pasta just until it's al dente — almost tender, but still firm to the bite. You don't want to completely cook the noodles until they're tender, because they will continue baking in the oven.
  • Allow thecheese, milk and half-and-half to come to room temperature before adding them to the recipe. They will blend together smoothly if they're not cold.
  • Start with blocks of cheddar cheese that you grate yourself at home, rather than using bags of pre-shredded cheese from the store. The pre-shredded cheese includes stabilizers and other ingredients to prevent the cheese from clumping, which inhibits its ability to melt smoothly into the dish.
  • If you prefer acrispier, darker brown top on your mac and cheese, place the dish under the broiler during the final few minutes of baking. Just be sure to keep a close eye on it so that the top doesn't burn.
  • Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half and bake the casserole in an 8-inch square dish.
Front shot of creamy baked macaroni and cheese served in a blue bowl

More Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

  • Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
  • Overnight Mac and Cheese
  • Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
  • Dump-and-Bake Chicken Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Ooey, gooey and oh-so-cheesy! This Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is the best mac and cheese recipe that you'll ever taste.

Course Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword baked mac and cheese, creamy baked mac and cheese

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 10 - 12 (as a side dish) or 6-8 (as an entrée)

Calories 572 kcal

  • 1 lb. dry elbow macaroni pasta
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk, at room temperature (I use 2%, but whole milk will also work well)
  • 2 cups half-and-half, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 12 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese, at room temperature
  • 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta for 1 minute less than the package suggestion for al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.

  • While the pasta boils, melt butter in a large Dutch oven (about 6-7 quarts) over medium heat. Add flour; cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Very gradually, whisk in the milk and half-and-half. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat.

  • Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce. Gradually add all of the Velveeta cheese and half of the cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups). Stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the salt, dry mustard, pepper and nutmeg. Add cooked, drained pasta and stir to coat.

  • Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 ½ cups of grated cheddar on top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted on top and the sauce is bubbly.

  • For a crispier, browner top, pop the dish under the broiler for 2-5 minutes.

To prep the mac and cheese ahead of time, assemble the dish as instructed, but do not bake. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 1-2 days. When ready to bake, allow the dish to come to room temperature on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.

Serving: 1 /10 of the dish | Calories: 572 kcal | Carbohydrates: 48 g | Protein: 25 g | Fat: 31 g | Saturated Fat: 20 g | Cholesterol: 96 mg | Sodium: 1114 mg | Potassium: 392 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 7 g | Vitamin A: 1177 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 559 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Does Half and Half Make Mac and Cheese Creamy

Source: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese/