Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Baked

Name: Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Baked
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 pound elbow macaroni; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 4 1/4 cups whole milk warmed; 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 3 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided; 1 cup Colby-Jack cheese shredded; 10 slices American cheese torn into pieces; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated

by Vicky

8 servings

50 min

This Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Baked is the cozy, cheesy comfort food your whole family will devour! Made from scratch with real cheese, it’s easier than you think and always delivers that rich, homemade flavor in every bite.

Are you looking for more Side Dishes? Try our Cafeteria Noodles, Southern Potato Salad, or Macaroni and Tomatoes.

old fashioned baked mac and cheese, Close up of Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese displaying a creamy cheesy texture A portion has been served to reveal the gooey interior with a spoon resting in the dish The top is golden brown and crispy

Close-up of Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese, displaying a creamy, cheesy texture. A portion has been served to reveal the gooey interior, with a spoon resting in the dish. The top is golden brown and crispy.

My family absolutely loves macaroni and cheese! From my Crockpot Velveeta Mac and Cheese, my Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese, to this classic recipe for old fashioned macaroni.

It’s made with simple ingredients and packed with creamy, cheesy flavor. It’s the best homemade mac for special occasions, Sunday dinners, or even the holiday season.

old fashioned baked mac and cheese, A fork lifts a serving of old fashioned baked mac and cheese its creamy layers topped with a golden bubbly crust from a casserole dish In the background elegant white ceramic containers add a touch of classic charm

A fork lifts a serving of old-fashioned baked mac and cheese, its creamy layers topped with a golden, bubbly crust from a casserole dish. In the background, elegant white ceramic containers add a touch of classic charm.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe

Elbow macaroni
Butter
All-purpose flour
Whole milk
Dry mustard powder
Onion powder
Salt
Black pepper
Sharp cheddar cheese
Colby-Jack cheese
American cheese
Parmesan cheese

old fashioned baked mac and cheese, Top down view of ingredients for Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese featuring labeled bowls of macaroni cheddar butter milk Colby Jack and American cheeses dry mustard powder onion powder flour parmesan cheese salt and pepper

Top-down view of ingredients for Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese, featuring labeled bowls of macaroni, cheddar, butter, milk, Colby Jack and American cheeses, dry mustard powder, onion powder, flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

INGREDIENT NOTES:

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Use extra sharp cheddar for bolder flavor.
Colby Jack Cheese: A creamy option that blends well with sharper cheeses.
American Cheese: Adds smooth, gooey richness to this southern classic.

HOW TO MAKE Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Baked

Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish, or lightly spray with cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente (about 2 minutes less than fully cooked). Drain and set aside.

Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to make a roux.

Step 4: Gradually whisk in warmed milk, a little bit at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the white sauce, stirring frequently, until it thickens and can coat the back of a spoon, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

old fashioned baked mac and cheese, Experience the classic delight of Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese In six simple steps blend flour milk and spices in a saucepan Mix in cheese and cooked pasta then pour into a baking dish Top with more cheese before baking to golden perfection

Experience the classic delight of Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese. In six simple steps, blend flour, milk, and spices in a saucepan. Mix in cheese and cooked pasta, then pour into a baking dish. Top with more cheese before baking to golden perfection.

Step 6: Add 2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the Colby-Jack, American cheese, and Parmesan. Stir until completely melted and smooth to create a creamy cheese sauce.

Step 7: Fold in the cooked macaroni until well coated.

Step 8: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 9: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Baked

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Recipe details

Yield 8 servings
Time spent: Prep time: 15 Minutes Cook time: 35 Minutes Total time: 50 min

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Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 1/4 cups whole milk warmed
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided
1 cup Colby-Jack cheese shredded
10 slices American cheese torn into pieces
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish, or lightly spray with cooking spray.
Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente (about 2 minutes less than fully cooked). Drain and set aside. 1 pound elbow macaroni.
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to make a roux. 1/2 cup butter,1/2 cup all-purpose flour.
Gradually whisk in warmed milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until it thickens and can coat the back of a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. 4 1/4 cups whole milk.
Remove from heat and stir in dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder,1/2 teaspoon onion powder,3/4 teaspoon salt,1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Add 2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the Colby-Jack, American cheese, and Parmesan. Stir until completely melted and smooth. 3 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese,1 cup Colby-Jack cheese,10 slices American cheese,1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Fold in the cooked macaroni until well coated with cheese sauce.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Comments

Cso51108026 on Nov 04, 2026

These ARE the proportions, for sure, but I cannot tolerate American cheese; it tastes like biting on aluminum to me (genetic recessive trait thing...). So, I amp up the Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, and include a 5-cheese Italian Blend, which melts like a dream! I've used a recipe very similar that uses evaporated milk and whole milk (and no flour, for a gluten free option), but the MUSTARD is key! You do NOT taste mustard, but it is the underlying grounding note for the cheese and you really need it! I've even done this as a "white" mac and cheese and used Chinese hot mustard - also absolutely delicious! Thank you for bringing this classic to the forefront - it's an absolute CLASSIC at the holidays!!! Awesome side dish with ham!! ~Chrissie

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