Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese
A bite of old-fashioned baked mac and cheese is like getting a hug from someone you love. I have very fond memories of eating a big ole bowl of this side on holidays, at family gatherings, and at supper during the summers. It’s so simple to whip up and tastes like grandma made it! This recipe post includes a video tutorial so you can make it alongside me, step-by-step!
This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!
What is Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese
Old-fashioned baked mac and cheese is a dish of nostalgia. I grew up eating on holidays, at almost every family gathering, and even on the supper table.
It’s a from-scratch macaroni and cheese that’s baked in the oven and topped with shredded cheese. It’s one of my favorite dishes on planet Earth!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- elbow macaroni pasta
- all-purpose flour
- buttermilk or milk
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- shredded mild cheddar cheese
- optional – breadcrumbs
Substitutes & Variations
Cashew Cream: Substitute the milk for a homemade cashew cream if you prefer.
Different Cheese: You can use any type of cheese you prefer or even a blend of different cheeses.
Instructions
Bring water to boil over high-heat, add noodles when boiling, turn heat down to medium, cook 6-7 minutes until al dente, stir occasionally.
In a ball jar (or a mixing bowl) add flour, buttermilk or milk, salt, and pepper. Shake, or whisk if you’re using a bowl, to combine.
Grease a medium-sized casserole dish (about 11×8″) with butter and flour.
Add in milk mixture, cooked noodles, and shredded cheese to the casserole dish and mix to combine with a spoon.
Top the dish evenly with extra shredded cheese and (optional) bread crumbs.
Bake for 20-25 mins in at 375. Take out of oven and enjoy!
Video Tutorial
Recipe FAQs
Can you freeze mac and cheese?
You can, but with my experience doing this, the texture and flavor aren’t great.
How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can! The best way to do this is to cook the macaroni, prep the sauce, and add it all to the greased casserole dish. Instead of putting it in the oven, cover and refrigerate overnight until you need it.
Molly’s Best Tips
- Shred your own cheese: Instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, I highly recommend buying a cheese grater and a block of cheddar. The cheese has a better taste and melts much better due to the lack of anti-caking additives.
- Use a Mason Jar to combine the sauce: The easiest and fastest way to combine the ingredients for the sauce is to place them in a Mason Jar, screw the lid on, and shake to combine.
- Choose a mild cheddar: Mild cheddar has the perfect taste for baked macaroni and cheese.
- Butter and flour the casserole dish: Instead of using a greasing spray, rub the casserole dish down with butter, sprinkle in flour to coat the pan, and then turn it upside down over the garbage can to get the excess out.
Serving ideas
You can serve baked mac and cheese for just about every occasion. Whether it’s a church potluck, baby shower, cookout, Sunday supper, or just a random day of the week. It’s so creamy, quick to make, and most importantly, comforting!
Here are a few of our favorite main dishes to serve with this mac and cheese:
- Simple Ground Chicken Burgers
- Authentic Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
- Mild Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
- Baked Boneless Buffalo Wings
Storage and Reheating
Storage: Store cooled-down leftover baked mac and cheese in a glass, airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350 degrees until warm (about 8-10 minutes). You can add a little butter, milk, and shredded cheese to revive the dish if you prefer.
More Sides From Scratch
- Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Brown Gravy
- Easy Cheesy Jalapeno Corn Casserole
- Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card below & if you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment further down
Recipe
Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni pasta
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Extra cheese about 1 cup
- Optional – breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Bring water to boil over high-heat, add noodles when boiling, turn heat down to medium, cook 6-7 minutes until al dente, stir occasionally.
- In a ball jar (or a mixing bowl) add flour, buttermilk or milk, salt, and pepper. Shake, or whisk if you’re using a bowl, to combine.
- Grease a medium-sized casserole dish (about 11×8″) with butter and flour.
- Add in milk mixture, cooked noodles, and shredded cheese to the casserole dish and mix to combine with a spoon.
- Top the dish evenly with extra shredded cheese and (optional) bread crumbs.
- Bake for 20-25 mins in at 375. Take out of oven and enjoy!
Video