Thanksgiving Baked Mac & Cheese is a dish that brings comfort and joy to any table, especially during the holidays.

Thanksgiving Baked Mac & Cheese: The Best Ever Family Supper Recipe 16

This recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy experience with a delightful golden-brown topping, making it a perfect centerpiece or a beloved side dish for your festive gathering or a simple family supper.

Forget complicated techniques or endless ingredient lists. This version is designed for real life, ensuring you can whip up a truly satisfying mac and cheese without the stress, leaving you more time to enjoy with loved ones.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This baked mac and cheese recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, designed for busy home cooks who want to serve something genuinely delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving because it offers that classic, comforting side dish everyone expects, but it’s also versatile enough for any family supper throughout the year. The combination of tender pasta, a rich, velvety cheese sauce, and a crispy, golden topping makes it irresistible to both kids and adults. You’ll love how straightforward the process is, making it an ideal choice when you need a reliable, hearty dish that always gets rave reviews. It’s a fantastic way to add a touch of homemade goodness to your meal without feeling overwhelmed.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a smooth cooking experience. This recipe uses readily available items you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. Focus on quality dairy for the best flavor and creaminess.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound elbow macaroni
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, warmed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but recommended for depth)
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

For the cheeses, feel free to experiment a bit. While sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack provide a fantastic balance of tang and meltiness, you can substitute with other good melting cheeses like Gruyère, Colby, or even a mild white cheddar. Just ensure you have a total of 6 cups of shredded cheese for the sauce and topping. Using whole milk is key for a truly creamy sauce, but 2% milk can work in a pinch, though the sauce might be slightly less rich. Panko breadcrumbs give the best crispy topping, but regular breadcrumbs can be used if that’s what you have on hand.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of this baked mac and cheese is how efficiently it comes together. You won’t be spending your entire afternoon in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy holidays or weeknights.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 40-45 minutes

These times are estimates, of course, but they give you a realistic idea of the commitment. The bulk of the time is hands-off baking, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while your kitchen fills with delicious aromas.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this baked mac and cheese is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfectly creamy and golden dish every time.

Preheat and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite to it, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta well and set aside. Do not rinse.
Start the Roux: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. Whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until a smooth paste (roux) forms and cooks out the raw flour taste. It should be light golden in color.
Create the Velvety Sauce Base: Gradually whisk in the warmed whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking as the sauce thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Season and Melt Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the salt, black pepper, and optional ground nutmeg. Add 3 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese to the sauce. Stir continuously until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine and Transfer: Add the drained cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until all the pasta is evenly coated. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the macaroni in the baking dish, then top with the buttered Panko breadcrumbs.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This baked mac and cheese recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to tweak for different tastes or occasions.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can use milder cheeses like mild cheddar or Colby and omit the nutmeg if they’re sensitive to spices. You can also add a layer of cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham for extra flavor and protein that kids often love.

If you’re serving this for a party or buffet, consider making it in smaller individual ramekins for a charming presentation. You can also set up a “mac and cheese bar” with various toppings on the side, such as extra shredded cheese, chopped chives, crispy fried onions, jalapeño slices, or even a drizzle of hot sauce for the adults.

Vegetable additions are simple: stir in a cup of steamed broccoli florets or frozen peas during step 5 for added nutrients and color. For a spicier kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper in the cheese sauce or a dash of hot sauce before baking can elevate the flavor profile. You can also swap out some of the cheddar for smoked Gouda for a deeper, more complex smoky taste.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will ensure your baked mac and cheese turns out perfectly every time.

Overcooking the Pasta: If your macaroni is too soft before baking, it will turn mushy in the oven. Cook it only until al dente, leaving a little bite, as it will absorb more liquid and continue cooking while baking.
Lumpy Cheese Sauce: This usually happens if you add the milk too quickly to the roux or if the heat is too high. Whisk constantly and add the warmed milk gradually to the roux to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce. If lumps do form, you can try pressing them against the side of the pot with your whisk to break them up, or even use an immersion blender for a truly silky sauce.
Grainy Cheese Sauce: Overheating the cheese or adding it to a sauce that’s too hot can cause the cheese to separate and become grainy. Always remove the pot from the heat before stirring in the cheese, and stir until just melted and smooth.
Dry Mac and Cheese: This can be caused by not enough sauce, overbaking, or using low-fat dairy. Stick to whole milk for richness, ensure your sauce is generous, and don’t bake it longer than necessary. The resting period after baking also helps the sauce set without drying out.
Soggy Breadcrumb Topping: If your breadcrumbs aren’t crispy, you might have used too few or didn’t butter them adequately. Ensure the Panko is lightly coated in melted butter for that perfect crunch. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This baked mac and cheese is fantastic fresh out of the oven, but it also stores and reheats surprisingly well, making it a great make-ahead option.

To Store: Allow any leftover mac and cheese to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

To Reheat: For individual portions, you can microwave it on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For larger portions, transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish, add a splash of milk (about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of mac and cheese) to help restore creaminess, cover with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.