Creamy Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese
If you’ve been searching for a no-boil, ultra-creamy, extra-cheesy mac and cheese that tastes like it came straight from a Southern holiday table, this is the one. Everything bakes together in one dish, and then gets loaded with three kinds of cheese for the richest, silkiest mac you’ve ever had.
This is comfort food at its best: simple ingredients, bold flavor, and a gooey, velvety texture that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just craving something cozy, this baked mac and cheese never misses.
What You Need to Make This Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese
Here’s everything that goes into this creamy masterpiece:
- Noodles of choice
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Evaporated milk
- Heavy cream
- Chicken stock
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dry mustard
- Thyme
- Salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
How to Make Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese (Step-by-Step)
1
Bake the Noodles in Cream
In a baking dish, combine the heavy cream, evaporated milk, chicken stock, dry noodles, and all seasonings. Stir well, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
2
Prep the Cheese
While the noodles bake, shred the cheddar and mozzarella. You’ll want everything ready to go for maximum creaminess later.
3
Stir in the Cheeses
After 45 minutes, remove the noodles from the oven. Add half the cheddar, all the mozzarella, and the block of cream cheese. Mix until everything is melted and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning, and don’t forget more cracked black pepper! It brings out all the cheesy flavor.
4
Add the Final Topping
Top the dish with the remaining cheddar and dot the top with pieces of butter.
5
Bake Until Melty
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, just until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling layer of goodness.
Creamy Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb noodles of choice
- 1 lb block cheddar shredded
- 1/2 lb block Mozzarella shredded
- 1 block cream cheese
- 1/2 stick butter
- 8 oz evaporated milk
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Onion powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Dry mustard
- Thyme
- Salt to taste
- Extra cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a baking dish add all milk, dry noodles, chicken stock and seasonings, stir together. Cover in foil and bake 375 for 45 minutes
- Shred all of your cheese
- Add half cheddar, all mozzarella, cream cheese into noodles, mix together. As just seasoning if needed and add more black pepper! (Pepper brings out the cheese in a Mac and cheese)
- Top with the rest of the cheddar and butter. Bake on 350 uncovered for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Stir and serve!
