Best baked mac and cheese starts right here. After 12 years testing recipes in tiny NYC apartments and taking classes at Murray’s Cheese in Greenwich Village, this is the exact version that disappears first at every Brooklyn rooftop party and Harlem potluck.
Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Resting Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 8–10
Ingredients (8–10 portions)
Pasta & Base
- 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- ¾ cup (12 Tbsp | 170 g) unsalted butter total – divided (½ cup for sauce + ¼ cup for topping)
- ⅓ cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, room temp
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp kosher salt + ½ tsp ground mustard + ¼ tsp smoked paprika
The Perfect NYC 4-Cheese Blend (5½ cups total – freshly grated)
Reserve 2 cups of this blend for layering.
- 2½ cups sharp white cheddar
- 2 cups Gruyère
- 1 cup Fontina
- ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano
Crispy Panko Topping
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) melted butter (from the total above)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
How to Make the Best Baked Mac and Cheese
Step 1 – Cook Pasta & Preheat Oven
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 9×13-inch dish. Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions.
Step 2 – Make the Roux
Melt ½ cup butter → whisk in flour → cook 90 seconds until golden.
Step 3 – Build the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Gradually whisk in milk + cream. Cook until thick. Remove from heat → add seasonings → stir in the unreserved cheese (3½ cups) in 3 batches until silky.
Step 4 – Layer Like a Pro
Combine sauce with pasta → half in dish → 1 cup reserved cheese → remaining mac → final 1 cup cheese.
Step 5 – Crispy Topping & Bake
Mix panko + ¼ cup melted butter + garlic powder. Spread evenly. Bake 25–30 min. Broil 1–2 min (watch it!).
Step 6 – Rest 10 Minutes
Don’t skip – this sets perfect creamy slices.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 685 kcal |
| Protein | 29 g |
| Total Fat | 42 g |
| Saturated Fat | 25 g |
| Carbs | 52 g |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
Expert Tips & Troubleshooting
- Sauce grainy? → You added cheese on heat. Always remove from heat first.
- Topping burning? → Cover with foil first 20 min.
- Make ahead → Assemble 48 h in advance.
- Reheat perfectly → Add 2 Tbsp milk + foil.
5 NYC Neighborhood Variations
- Brooklyn Bacon – 8 oz bacon + 1 caramelized onion
- Lobster Luxe – 10 oz lobster + ½ tsp Old Bay
- Harlem Buffalo Chicken – 2 cups buffalo chicken + blue cheese
- Queens Truffle – 1 Tbsp truffle oil + 8 oz mushrooms
- 20-Min Stovetop – No oven, 5 cups cheese total in sauce
What to Serve with the Best Baked Mac and Cheese
This ultra-creamy NYC mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food main — here are my favorite sides and pairings that my Brooklyn and Manhattan friends always ask for:
- Ultimate Homemade NY-Style Pizza – because pizza + mac and cheese is the unofficial NYC game-day combo
- Classic Chicken Caesar Salad – crisp, garlicky, and the perfect fresh contrast to all that cheesiness
- Perfectly Cooked Salmon – light, flaky protein that balances the richness (my Upper West Side friends swear by it)
- Lemon Chicken with Olives – bright Mediterranean flavors that cut through the creaminess in the best way
- NYC Veggie Stir-Fry – quick, colorful veggies when you want something green and fast on the table
Or keep the comfort going and serve it alongside my Cauliflower Mac and Cheese for the ultimate cheesy dinner spread!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare this best baked mac and cheese the day before?
Yes – assemble fully, cover, refrigerate up to 48 hours. Add 5–10 extra minutes baking time from cold.
Why did my cheese sauce turn grainy?
Heat was too high or cheese added while boiling. Next time remove pan from heat completely before adding cheese.
Is there a no-bake version?
Yes – use 5 cups cheese total in the sauce and serve straight from the pot in 20 minutes.
Make This Tonight!
This is officially the best baked mac and cheese my NYC friends have ever tasted.
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