Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

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4.50 from 4 votes

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

Simple, creamy, and cheesy, this easy baked mac and cheese is the tastiest side dish you'll ever make!

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked macaroni and cheese, easy baked mac and cheese, easy baked mac and cheese recipe, easy mac and cheese, easy macaroni and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, simple macaroni and cheese

Servings: servings

Author: Food Dolls

Equipment

1 12x8 Baking Dish

Ingredients

4 cups cooked elbow pasta 2 cups uncooked, al-dente
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese freshly grated
3/4 cup White Cheddar freshly grated
2 cups milk divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt to taste
1 teaspoon pepper taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika or sweet paprika*
2 teapoons dried oregano
4 ounces cream cheese cubed

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 12x8 baking dish, and set aside.
Cook the pasta just until a little under al-dente, about 4-5 minutes.
4 cups cooked elbow pasta
In a 12×8 baking dish, add the cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups milk, grated garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir to combine.
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 cups milk, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teapoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt
Top with shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese, White Cheddar, butter, and cream cheese.
1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup White Cheddar, 4 ounces cream cheese
Cover, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Stir together, making sure the melted cream cheese coats all of the pasta.
Heat the remaining milk, and stir it into the pasta using as much or as little as needed until the desired consistency is achieved.
Store covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Video

Notes

*For a sweeter, less smokey flavor, substitute sweet paprika for smoked paprika.

Nutrition