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    Home > Veggies and Sides > Baked Cheesy Mac and Cheese (With Shortcuts)

    Baked Cheesy Mac and Cheese (With Shortcuts)

    Published: Oct 11, 2023 by Kathleen · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See full disclosure

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    This easy Baked Cheesy Mac and Cheese recipe tastes like your grandma's old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese. No one will suspect it is made with shortcuts! This is hands down the easiest and cheesiest homemade macaroni and cheese you will ever make.

    It's that good. It's that easy!

    Macaroni and Cheese in a white casserole dish with serving scooped out.

    SAVE THIS RECIPE

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    You'll get creamy baked macaroni and cheese without a white sauce and it starts with pre-shredded cheese!

    Enjoy this easy Southern side dish for Thanksgiving, potlucks or Sunday supper.

    Another one of my favorite holiday side dishes is Candied Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

    Baked mac and cheese ingredients

    Ingredients for baked mac and cheese recipe: elbow macaroni, whipping cream, half and half, cheee, eggs

    I don't hold back on the cheese in this recipe. It's serious business when it comes to making the cheesiest macaroni and cheese. There's 24 ounces (6 cups) of cheese going into this recipe!

    This is just one of the reasons I think this is the best baked mac n cheese, ever!

    • elbow macaroni
    • saltine crackers
    • shredded Cheddar and Colby Jack cheese
    • large eggs
    • whipping cream (not heavy)
    • half and half or whole milk
    • salt
    • garlic powder (optional)
    • ground pepper (optional)

    I know you may be thinking, "Why is she using pre-shredded cheese?" Well, it's absolutely a shortcut.

    To gild the lily, shred your own from blocks of cheese.

    Macaroni and cheese in tan dish with scoop out

    Baked Mac and Cheese without flour

    The secret ingredient that thickens this macaroni and cheese bake is saltine crackers, also called soda crackers

    The crushed saltine crackers basically turn into flour and thickens the cream mixture as it bakes! Boom! Genius, right?

    No need to make a white sauce with flour here. There's enough fat in the whipping cream to replace the butter you would use in a white sauce.

    Note: Although there is no flour in this recipe, saltine crackers do contain gluten.

    What are the shortcuts?

    These shortcuts are key to making this simple baked mac and cheese recipe.

    • Not having to make a white sauce. Crushed saltine crackers thickens as it bakes.
    • Using pre-shredded cheese. You absolutely can shred your own from blocks of cheese. Go by ounces, not cup measurements here.

    Watch the video on how to make it

    Baked mac and cheese in white casserole dish.

    How to make this easy baked mac n cheese recipe

    crushed saltine crackers in ziploc bag, rolling pin,

    Crushed saltine crackers, layered with the cooked macaroni, cheese, and cream mixture, thickens the sauce as it bakes. It's like magic!

    layer of cooked elbow macaroni in tan baking dish with whisk in bowl
    Packages of preshredded cheese next to a casserole dish of macaroni and cheese

    Create 3 layers with macaroni, crackers and cheese (in that order). Pour the cream and egg mixture over the last layer.

    How long do you bake macaroni and cheese?

    Since eggs and milk are in this recipe for easy mac and cheese bake, it needs to bake at a lower temperature for longer than one with a white sauce.

    Bake at 325F degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and lightly browned.

    baked macaroni and cheese in tan baking dish with serving scooped out.

    Do I have to cover mac and cheese while baking?

    For this recipe, I do not cover it because the dish is large enough to make the mac and cheese bake evenly. If your dish makes the mac and cheese so deep that the top starts to brown before the bottom is cooked, then you may need to loosely cover it with aluminum foil the last 10 or 15 minutes.

    Best cheese for baked mac and cheese?

    Any semisoft cheese (or melting cheese) is the perfect cheese for baked mac and cheese. Of course, mild to sharp Cheddar is the most popular choice. Here are some other cheese options.

    • Colby Jack. I keep this cheese in my fridge at all times because it combines the Cheddar-like flavor of Colby with the excellent melting ability of Monterey Jack cheese.
    • Gouda. But, of course! The flavor of Gouda is mild and slightly sweet and nutty.
    • Gruyère. If you want to add more complex flavor to your mac and cheese, then I'd recommend this sweet, salty and slightly earthy (in a good way) cheese.
    • Mozzarella. If you love a good cheese pull when you are serving up a helping, then this is your cheese of choice. Not big on flavor, but it has the "wow factor" of dramatic, stringy cheese.
    • Muenster
    • Fontina
    • Provolone
    Macaroni and Cheese in a white rectangle dish with serving scooped out.

    What can I substitute for whipping cream?

    If you don't have whipping cream just use 3 cups half and half since you are already buying it for 1 cup and it usually comes in a quart size container.

    How can I make this side dish ahead of time?

    Easy Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese can be made ahead. Cook macaroni and toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil and let cool. Place in a sealable plastic bag or air tight container and refrigerate until ready to layer casserole, up to 3 days ahead.

    Completely bake the mac and cheese; let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate. To reheat, bake at 350F degrees for 25 minutes, loosely covered with aluminum foil or just until thoroughly heated.

    What to serve with Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    While it's best known as a side dish, macaroni and cheese can absolutely be eaten as a main dish, especially if you stir in leftover Christmas ham.

    Here are more side dish recipes to serve alongside it.

    Creamy Fresh Green Bean Casserole (Keto, Gluten Free)

    Oven-Fried Okra (Air Fryer Option)

    Southern Fried Yellow Squash

    Perfect Every Time Fried Green Tomatoes

    Other side dishes you may love:

    Roasted Purple Cauliflower

    Fried Yellow Squash

    Perfect Every Time Fried Green Tomatoes

    Oven-Fried Okra (Air Fryer Option)

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    Watch the video

    two ladies on tv kitchen set
    Macaroni and cheese in tan dish with scoop out

    Easy Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese (With Shortcuts)

    Kathleen Phillips: GritsAndGouda.com
    Easy Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese has a secret ingredient so you don't have to make a white sauce! Enjoy creamy, baked macaroni and cheese goodness with pre-shredded Cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses!
    4.85 from 19 votes
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    SAVE THIS RECIPE

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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 42 minutes mins
    Total Time 52 minutes mins
    Servings 12 servings

    Equipment

    • baking dish
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    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni 1 ¾ cups uncooked
    • 16 saltine crackers ½ cup plus 1 ½ tablespoons
    • 1 12-oz package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (or block to hand shred)
    • 1 12-oz package shredded Colby Jack cheese (or block to hand shred)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 cups whipping cream
    • 1 cup half and half or whole milk
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325˚.
    • Cook macaroni in salted boiling water 7 minutes and drain. (It will continue to cook more in oven.)
    • Meanwhile, crush saltines in a large zip-top bag.
    • Layer one-third each of macaroni, crackers, and cheese in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish, ending with cheese. Repeat layers twice.
    • With a whisk, light beat eggs in a large bowl; gradually whisk in whipping cream and half and half or milk, salt, garlic powder and pepper, if using; pour over layered macaroni mixture. Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Make Ahead Tips: Easy Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese can be made ahead. Cook macaroni and toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil and let cool; place in refrigerator until ready to layer casserole.
    Completely bake the mac and cheese; cover and refrigerate. To reheat, bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or just until thoroughly heated.
    3 cups half and half can be substituted for  2 cups whipping cream + 1 cup half and half.
    You can buy blocks of cheese and shred your own. It's actually less expensive and melts faster. Pre-shredded does save time, though.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcal
    Did you make this recipe?If you love it, share it! Comment below before you go!

    Updated October 21, 2021 with valuable information and images.

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    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

    More about me →

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    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

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