Simple but Delicious Homemade Side Dish

This classic baked mac and cheese casserole is a great side dish that goes with almost any family meal or special occasion dinner. I make it as a comfort food at the end of a busy weekday or when there’s a special occasion.

I think one of the reasons mac and cheese is so comforting is that the aroma and flavors bring us back to our childhood. At least, that’s the case with my husband and me.

Ingredients for Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole

All of the ingredients listed here are what I use. However, if you like something extra, please feel free to add it. After all, this is your baked homemade mac and cheese, so make it to suit your taste.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

• Uncooked macaroni pasta, either regular or gluten-free
• Melted butter
• Mild flavored cooking oil
• Milk
• Egg
• Flour, either regular or gluten-free
• Shredded cheese, any kind you like
• Mustard, either yellow or dijon
• Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

How to make it spicy:

• Add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce.
• Slice some jalapeños and add as many as you want. If I’m not sure whether or not people like spicy food, I’ll simply add a few to the top so people can remove them.
• Sprinkle some of your favorite cajun seasoning into the mixture before baking.

For a super rich or creamy version:

• Replace the milk with heavy cream.
• Use half milk and half sour cream or yogurt.
• Add some softened cream cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Cook the macaroni in a medium saucepan according to the instructions, until it is chewy but still firm. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Pour the butter and cooking oil over it and stir well.

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk or cream. I used to use almond milk, but now, I’ll use either half-and-half or full-fat cream. It’s all good.

Add the flour and mustard. I used gluten-free all-purpose flour, but you can use any kind of flour you have on hand. I also used dijon mustard. Whisk the mixture again until it’s well mixed.

Stir most of the cheese into the mixture, leaving about 1/4 of it to sprinkle over the top later. Heat the mixture until the cheese begins to melt. Stir while it melts to prevent it from clumping.

Pour the pasta and sauce into the casserole dish. Make sure it’s evenly distributed so you don’t wind up with sections without the pasta.

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the mixture. I used a combination of cheddar and mozzarella. 

Bake for 30 minutes or until it’s bubbly and the top is golden brown. 

*Note: You can also make this baked mac and cheese recipe without flour. It doesn’t stand up as well, but I think that it tastes just as good.

More Tips

Follow the instructions in the recipe, and you’ll have a wonderful side dish. Here are more tips to make it even better:

• Use quality ingredients. I recommend choosing your favorite macaroni. For the cheese, I prefer medium cheddar. But you can use whichever type of cheese you and your family like.
• Experiment with different types of pasta, such as small shells, pinwheels, or even cartoon characters if you have children.
• Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This enables the flavors to meld and makes it easier to serve.
• Use more than one type of cheese. We enjoy the merge of flavors of 3 completely different cheeses. One of our favorite blends is a mixture of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan.

How to Turn This Into a Main Dish

If you want your mac and cheese casserole to be the main dish, you can do so as-is. However, sometimes we enjoy adding meat to the casserole.

For those times when I want a one-pan meal, I add some sort of protein. Some of our favorites are diced ham, pepperoni, shredded roast beef, or even diced tofu.

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

There are so many ways to add ham to this delicious dish. One way is to simply cut the meat into bite-size pieces and mix it into the cooked pasta.

Another way is to get ham that you can shred and sprinkle it over the top, either under the cheese or mixed in with it. My granddaughters helped me make this mac and cheese with ham. In fact, tt was their idea to sprinkle fried onions on top, and I thought it was brilliant! We absolutely love the crunchy crust!

Extra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

When you want an extra creamy casserole, I highly recommend using whipping cream. Doing this delivers the ultimate comforting flavor.

Another ingredient I like to add is softened cream cheese. Not only does that add to the creaminess, but it also thickens the sauce.

For a slightly tart but creamy flavor, add a couple of tablespoons of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. I’ve been amazed by how much flavor it delivers.

How to Thicken Mac and Cheese

If you like a thicker sauce, you can add more flour. Just be careful to add it in small amounts at a time, or you might wind up with a glumpy mess.

The same goes for cornstarch. Before you add it, make a slurry of cornstarch and water. You’ll have a bunch of cornstarch lumps if you just dump it in. Trust me on this. I learned the hard way.

How to Reheat a Mac and Cheese Casserole

The best way to reheat this dish is to put it in a greased pan and cover it. Bake it in a 375 degree F oven for about 15 or 20 minutes, until it reaches the desired temperature.

I’ve also put the amount that I want to reheat in a saucepan, added a tablespoon or two of milk, covered it, and cooked it on medium-low heat for a few minutes.

The total time depends on how much you’re reheating. Just keep checking on it until it reaches your desired temperature.

You can reheat it in the microwave, but be extra careful. Microwaving pasta can cause it to become rubbery and unappetizing.

What to Serve with Classic Mac and Cheese Casserole

This delicious baked side dish is good with so many other foods. We eat it with air-fried chicken, budget-friendly pork tenderloin, or a classic southern style meatloaf.

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