The traditional mac and cheese got updated with three types of cheese, some spice, and a golden top. You can have it ready in 45 minutes. Delicious and super easy!
Let's go straight to this easy recipe for baked mac and cheese. Or is it stovetop? It's both.
Comfort food that is fast and simple is the best. Mac and cheese are the best. And this recipe takes 45 minutes at the most to be served. So it can even be a last-minute addition to your holiday table.
I came back with a few food memories from my two-year stay in California when I was young enough to go to middle school, a fact I shared with you when I recreated smitten kitchen’s recipe for homemade wheat thins.
The box with the orange mac and cheese was something I looked forward to.
And then there was the non-cooking mother situation, a fact hard to overlook, which led to boxed and frozen everything whenever she could. And besides, I had nothing to compare to; the box of mac and cheese tasted amazing since it was my only shot at eating it. I was 13.
Easy steps for making this recipe.
- Cook pasta al dente in salted water. Drain
- Grate or chop cheeses and mix with other ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add pasta and bake until golden and crunchy on top.
- Eat and enjoy!
Anyway, the easy in the title is for real, since sour cream is involved, and that makes it creamy without trying.
What cheese to use for this recipe.
Sharp cheese is absolutely necessary unless you want bland thrown into the equation.
I use blue cheese because, well, I worship it, it’s one of my favorite flavors – skillet blue cheese burgers, my mother’s legendary leftover pasta frittata, or the amazing pumpkin ricotta gnocchi.
Broiling this pasta bake.
What is mandatory is the au gratin part, fancy words for broiling it in the upper part of the over.
Because, my friends, mac and cheese with no crunchy part on the top is just not worth it. Said by the person who fought over orange macaroni and cheese with no crunch whatsoever.
That was then, this is now. I turned 46 a week ago, at least I can say my palate evolved.
Other similar recipes you might like:
Roasted Broccoli and Corn Pasta
Charred Asparagus, Corn, and Croutons Spaghetti
Crunchy Szechuan Pork and Carrots
Leftover Pasta Frittata
Orange Ricotta Cheesecake
Lemon Ricotta Pie
Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Polenta Cake
Bruschetta with ricotta, bacon, and tomatoes
Summer berry ricotta squares
Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
Thank you for being here, I appreciate it! Let’s connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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The traditional mac and cheese got updated with three types of cheese, some spice, and a golden top. You can have it ready in under 45 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- ½ cup shredded sharp parmesan or asiago cheese + ¼ cup for topping
- ½ cup cubed mozzarella cheese + ¼ cup for topping
- ½ cup crumbled mild blue cheese
- 1 cup elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Dash of sriracha sauce or chili powder or whatever hot you like
- Large pinch of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Have ready to medium individual oven ramekins.
- Mix sour cream, milk, ½ cup parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, blue cheese and onion in a bowl.
- Add cooked macaroni, season with salt, pepper, thyme, sriracha and mix well.
- Top with the rest of parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, dividing evenly.
- Bake for 15 minutes, and lastly broil for 5 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Eat immediately.
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac cheese
adapted from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Baking to me is like painting. I firmly believe a baker is an artist too! Baking is a medium of self-expression. The act of mixing the ingredients is an art and so is the act of presenting.
★★★★★
Easy and tasty recipe, especially if you love cheese. I love it.
So so happy to see you back.
This sounds a lot like the way my French husband makes mac & cheese and I love it. Welcome back 🙂
wow this recipe takes me back to my childhood... you've inspired me to recreate the old classic mac + cheese dish. thanks for the awesome ideas and great recipe.
Belated happy birthday my friend! And welcome back 😀
I need this cheesy goodness of a delicious dish!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
A belated Happy Birthday wish to you. Your palate certainly has evolved from the boxed mac and cheese days, your recipe sounds great.
I'm so glad you're back, Paula! You have been seriously missed! I used to love the boxed macaroni and cheese as a kid. Sometimes I'd love to try it again to see if it still lives up to my lofty childhood expectations.
Welcome Back Paula! You come back with one of the world's best comfort foods- M and C. just love those photo shots with the cheese, you are making me so hungry. Take Care, BAM
How gooey and yummy looking!
Qué bueno tenerte de vuelta, he extrañado tus post.
What a way to say welcome home! Nothing beats a great dish of mac and cheese. Good to see you again, Paula! And happy, happy birthday. At least you've grown up to eat the real stuff!
Oh my! I was lucky to have a mom who was a great cook. But, my brother & I loved cooking the blue-boxed stuff when our parents when out.
Your version of Macaroni & cheese looks heavenly!