This Crazy Good Mac n’ Cheese is a crowd favorite! It’s a rich and ultra-cheesy comfort food dish that’s easy to make and totally irresistible!
Updated: This post was first published here at the BHK in March 2015. I decided it was worthy of a reshare, so I’ve updated the photos and notes and added a VIDEO to the post below.
This Crazy Good Mac ‘n Cheese is the thing dreams are made of.
Ok, we’ve known each other for a little while now, so I’m just gonna get it out there…. I dream about food. In fact, I may even dream about it every night. All kinds of awesome food, from things I’ve made, to things I’m dying to make!
Even my recurring “stress dream” has food in it. I’m chewing gum and the gum is getting stuck to my teeth and I spend my entire dream pulling and pulling and pulling. Crazy I know, but I actually Googled it because whenever I am stressed I have that SAME dream and apparently other kooky people like me have it too. So maybe I’m not so kooky after all!
Okay, okay enough about dreams and back to this Crazy Good Mac n’ Cheese. I will say, I have spent a long time trying to perfect a homemade Mac n’ Cheese and this recipe is creamy, cheesy PERFECTION! This is not, and I mean NOT a diet Mac n’ Cheese, but then should mac n’ cheese ever really be diet??
It’s not like it’s something I eat every day, (although I could) so why not go all in? Lots and lots of freshly grated cheddar cheese, milk, a little cream, panko crumbs sprinkled on top…the perfect ingredients for a totally rich and indulgent dish that will have you guarding your plate and going to bed dreaming about it!! Where the heck is Dr. Phil when you need him???
This would be the perfect, easy side for your Thanksgiving dinner. Hope you guys give it a go. Enjoy!
Crazy Good Mac n’ Cheese Ingredients
• elbow macaroni
• butter
• onion
• flour
• milk
• heavy cream
• shredded sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese
• ground mustard, cayenne, salt and pepper
• panko crumbs
A Few Cook’s Notes for Crazy Good Mac n’ Cheese Recipe:
I use a combination of sharp white and cheddar cheeses. You could also opt to substitute one of the cheddar portions with Gruyère if you’d like.
You can top the mac n’ cheese with some plain or seasoned panko. It makes for a delicious crunchy top.
VIDEO
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tsp. salt
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne red pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
- 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 2 cups sharp yellow cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup panko Japanese bread crumbs
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fill large pot with water and 2 tsp. salt and prepare the macaroni al dente according to directions on package. Set aside.
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Melt 3 Tbsp. butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook for one minute. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard, cayenne, salt and pepper.
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Stirring constantly, continue to cook for 8 minutes until nice and thick. Stir in 3 1/2 cups cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Add pasta. Pour into a 2.4 qt. or a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with the leftover cheddar cheese and the panko bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and nice and golden browned.
Ooh you’ve got me craving a good bowlful of mac and cheese right now. This looks SO comforting & delicious – and indulgently chees-y.
Thank you Thalia.
This is my first time to read your blog, after looking at some of your recipes on Pinterest. I am a retired court reporter, living in Saint Petersburg, FL and always looking for something good to cook, especially this time of the year.
Hi Eva! So happy you found the blog. I hope you try some of my recipes. You’ll LOVE this mac n’ cheese. It’s so easy and super delicious. Happy Thanksgiving!
Crazy good is exactly how this looks, Mary Ann! So rich, creamy and comforting. Exactly the kind of food I’m craving right now!
It’s one of my family’s favorites for sure Marissa! So creamy and cheesy. The perfect dish when you want to spoil yourself!
This is just what I’m craving right now! Would love to grab a spoon and dig in :) Have a great Thanksgiving Mary Ann!
Thanks so much Jennifer!
You can never go wrong with mac and cheese. I can see why you call this one crazy good! It looks wonderful!
Thanks Katherine! Perfect for the holidays or any old family dinner!
Crazy good for sure! Love a big bowl right now and it’s only morning! Just what I need on this rainy day! Pinned :)
Lol! It’s the perfect comfort food for a rainy day! Stay cozy.
Wow! Mary Ann, this could be the subject of a dream for me, too! It’s been awhile since Ive made homemade Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and this one looks so creamy and cozy I can’t wait to give it a try! Hope you and your fam are stying safe!
Thanks Laura! Hope you are too.
Hi, Mary Ann…..WOW, I have been following your blog for quite awhile, love your recipes. So very happy to have found your Mac and Cheese! I have been making mac and cheese for our oldest son for years. He always arrives late when he visits and I have it waiting for him. He’s coming down in a few weeks, will have your recipe ready for him, he will love it!!
Hi Trish! My mac and cheese is one of my boy’s favorites too! I’m so happy you enjoy the blog and my recipes. Thanks so much for following! Hope your son loves it!
This is absolutely CRAZY GOOD stuff!!!! I found this delectable recipe of yours a few years ago and have made it a handful of times now. Never fails to impress and I ALWAYS have that first bite moment where you think you’ve gone to heaven!! So so good!!
I do have a question though. I would like to make this for an upcoming family visit for Easter, yet we live a couple hours away… I was wondering if you can make this dish ahead of time (except maybe for the toppings) and either freeze it or carry in a cooler….and then add toppings and bake once we arrive at our destination? Or would I bake at home first and then take it and reheat? Let me know your advice on this – much appreciated!! And thank you for this delicious recipe! Best ever!
So happy you enjoy it Melanie! It’s one of my favorite recipes on my blog. Yes, you can make it ahead and chill it in the fridge so it firms up a bit before you bake it off at your destination. You wouldn’t need to freeze it if you just make it the day before and just carry in a cooler. I would add the panko just before you plan to bake it. Enjoy!
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it! 🥰
Anytime Melanie! Thanks so much for following!