{"id":15233,"date":"2026-06-20T17:51:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T17:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/?p=15233"},"modified":"2026-06-20T17:51:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T17:51:54","slug":"creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-casserole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/2026\/06\/20\/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-casserole\/","title":{"rendered":"Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Introduction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Tender macaroni is coated in a rich, cheesy sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked until golden brown and crispy. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, or whenever you crave a warm and satisfying meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instruction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ingredients<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3 cups elbow macaroni<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4 tablespoons butter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1\/4 cup all-purpose flour<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3 cups whole milk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 cups shredded cheddar cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1\/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 teaspoon garlic powder<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 teaspoon onion powder<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1\/2 teaspoon paprika<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Salt and black pepper to taste<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 cup breadcrumbs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 tablespoons melted butter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 tablespoons chopped parsley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Method<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preheat the oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gradually add the milk while whisking until smooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add the cheddar, mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted and creamy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add the cooked macaroni and mix until evenly coated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, remaining Parmesan cheese, and parsley in a small bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allow to cool slightly before serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benefits<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rich in calcium, which supports strong bones and teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Provides protein from cheese and milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A filling and satisfying meal for the whole family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Easy to customize with vegetables, bacon, or chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfect for preparing ahead and reheating later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nutrition<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calories: Approximately 420 per serving<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protein: 18 g<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carbohydrates: 38 g<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fat: 22 g<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fiber: 2 g<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calcium: 30% of daily value<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sodium: 550 mg<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tips<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not overcook the pasta before baking to keep it from becoming mushy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or saut\u00e9ed onions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for an extra crispy topping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conclusion<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole is a timeless comfort dish with a velvety cheese sauce and a crispy golden topping. Easy to make and loved by both kids and adults, it is the perfect recipe to bring warmth and delicious flavor to any table.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Tender macaroni is coated in a rich, cheesy sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked until golden brown and crispy. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, or whenever you crave a warm and satisfying meal. Instruction Ingredients 3 cups &#8230; <a title=\"Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/2026\/06\/20\/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-casserole\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15233"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15236,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233\/revisions\/15236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yum.familyfreshrecipes.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}