• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Disclosure
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Music
  • Travel

Foodtastic Mom logo

Home » Recipes » sides » Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

March 22, 2019

Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Pin
Share
Tweet
Jump to Recipe

I call this an Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe because the oven truly does all the work. This macaroni and cheese is creamy and dreamy without boiling the pasta or making a cooked cheese sauce before baking it in the oven. 

overhead view of macaroni and cheese in baking dish
Pinterest Save

I have a confession to make. Until now my macaroni and cheese of choice came in a box from the store. Shocking right? It wasn’t that I loved the taste of the boxed kind (though my kids enjoy shells and cheese). It’s just getting out two pots to boil some macaroni and then make a cheese sauce and then stir it together and then bake it seemed like missing the point of an easy side dish. But then I found this recipe and after doing some testing and revisions I think I have come up with seriously the best (and still easy) oven baked macaroni and cheese recipe. 

macaroni and cheese baking dish with spoon

My changes to the original recipe I am taking help from are based on reviews and my own personal taste preferences. Half and half makes the macaroni and cheese extra creamy. A combination of smoked gouda (which melts easily) and medium cheddar cheese makes for a simply delicious flavor combination – slightly smoky, tangy, cheesy and not grainy. I’ve never been a fan of dried mustard or any other spices in my macaroni and cheese. A little yellow mustard and hot sauce rounds out the flavor profile. 

close up of spoon in dish of macaroni and cheese

This is the only homemade macaroni and cheese I’ll make now. And it’s so simple that I will be kicking those boxes to the curb. Try it and tell me if you agree!

close up of macaroni and cheese in a small bowl with apple in the background

Tips for a perfect Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe: 

  • This recipe can be easily doubled for a crowd
  • Grate your own cheese – do not use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe
  • I use this brand of macaroni in my recipe
  • Use an 8-cup (2-quart) capacity baking dish similar to this one
  • Sprinkle some cooked and crumbled bacon on top after baking to make this a main dish – serve it with roasted or grilled vegetables, a salad and/or fresh fruit

Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on.

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN and print this recipe! 

Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese (no boiling required) #macaroniandcheese #macaroniandcheesebaked

Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | Foodtastic Mom #macaroniandcheese #macaroniandcheesebaked

Pinterest

Watch how to make Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese:

overhead view of macaroni and cheese in baking dish
Print Pin
5 from 22 votes

Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

I call this an oven baked macaroni and cheese recipe because the oven truly does all the work! This macaroni and cheese is creamy and dreamy without boiling the pasta or making a cooked cheese sauce (roux) before baking it in the oven. 
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 510kcal
Author Foodtastic Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 cup 4% fat cottage cheese
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 8 oz smoked Gouda cheese grated
  • 8 oz medium cheddar cheese grated
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 8 oz (half box) macaroni pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter softened

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a baking dish (at least 8 cup capacity) with the two tablespoons of butter and set aside.
  • Combine the shredded Gouda and Cheddar cheeses and set aside about 1 cup of cheese. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, half and half, remaining shredded Gouda and Cheddar cheeses (about 3 cups), salt, mustard and hot sauce. Blend until smooth.
  • Stir the half and half and cheese mixture into the uncooked pasta and pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 for 45 - 55 minutes (or until the macaroni is cooked through - I tasted it to make sure). Remove the dish from the oven. Remove the foil and stir well. Top the cooked macaroni with the remaining cup of shredded cheese.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Return the macaroni and cheese to the oven and bake an additional 10 - 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and starting to lightly brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 510kcal

More must make side dish recipes:

  • Cheesy Potatoes
  • Lemon Rice
  • Party Potatoes
  • Summer Broccoli Pasta Salad
  • Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese (no boiling required) #macaroniandcheese #macaroniandcheesebaked

Related Posts

  • Cheesy PotatoesCheesy Potatoes
  • Party PotatoesParty Potatoes
  • Turmeric Lemon RiceTurmeric Lemon Rice
Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: sides Tagged With: sides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

    June 14, 2018 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    This recipe seriously has me drooling! Mac n Cheese is a favorite of mine and this looks divine. Would have never thought to add cottage cheese. Will be giving this a try!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      Awesome! Hope you like it as much as we did!

      Reply
  2. Marie says

    June 14, 2018 at 11:06 am

    5 stars
    Mac and cheese is such a comfort food for me! This oven-baked version looks incredible and so cheesy!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      Thank you Marie!

      Reply
  3. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

    June 14, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    Your oven-baked mac and cheese looks so delicious! Creamy, thick and scrumptious! I love the addition of mustard! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      Thanks Elaine

      Reply
  4. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says

    June 14, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    My daughter would absolutely love this recipe! Bookmarked to try it for later. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      You’re welcome.

      Reply
  5. Priya @currynation says

    June 14, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    sooooooo creamy! it looks mouth watering…uhhhhh love to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sonia says

    June 14, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    This looks and sounds so darn Delish 👆.. my kids are a big fan of macaroni and cheese and they will definitely dit this!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 16, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you Sonia!

      Reply
  7. camila says

    August 28, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    wow this looks delicious. can’t remember last time I had Mac and cheese! looks great!!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:19 am

      You should try this one 🙂 And thank you!

      Reply
  8. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

    August 28, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe reminds me of growing up, and of all sorts of comfort!!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:19 am

      Me too – mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food!

      Reply
  9. Natalie says

    August 28, 2018 at 11:57 pm

    5 stars
    I love mac and cheese – it’s so comforting and delicious! Can’t wait to try this – looks absolutely perfect for dinner!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Thank you so much Natalie!

      Reply
  10. Colleen says

    August 29, 2018 at 12:23 am

    5 stars
    Homemade Mac & Cheese is the only way to go. Yours looks interesting with the cottage cheese, which I have never tried. Looks deliciously creamy!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:18 am

      It is a unique ingredient to add for sure – but it really works!

      Reply
  11. Claire says

    August 29, 2018 at 12:26 am

    5 stars
    I know exactly what you mean about using two pans for a side dish! !
    Plus add the fry pan you cooked the steak in and the pan you steamed the veg in and suddenly a simple steak dinner has used 4 pans!!! That is the bottom of the dishwasher full before you have added a plate!

    So I knew I had to try this recipe and I am so glad I did…It was delicious and so easy! It is my go to mac and cheese recipe now!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 29, 2018 at 9:18 am

      I am so glad I’m not the only one! And I’m so happy to hear that you tried this recipe and enjoyed it. Thank you for the comment and positive feedback 🙂

      Reply
  12. Natalie says

    November 23, 2018 at 12:42 am

    5 stars
    I love mac and cheese, especially when it’s oven baked. Looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      November 23, 2018 at 9:17 am

      Thank you Natalie.

      Reply
  13. Michelle says

    November 23, 2018 at 3:57 am

    5 stars
    This sounds amazing!, I love the idea of adding gouda cheese. I’ve never tried mac and cheese with cottage cheese, so will definitely try have to try that!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      November 23, 2018 at 9:17 am

      I hope you try it! The cottage cheese helps make it creamy but you really can’t tell there’s cottage cheese in it once it’s baked!

      Reply
  14. Danielle says

    November 23, 2018 at 6:08 am

    5 stars
    You can’t beat mac and cheese – it’s such classic comfort food.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      November 23, 2018 at 9:15 am

      I completely agree!

      Reply
  15. Sherri says

    November 23, 2018 at 8:59 am

    5 stars
    I’m convinced mac and cheese is one of the most perfect things on earth! 🙂 I am totally with you on the addition of mustard and hot sauce. Yay hot sauce!! Anyway, love how easy and CHEESY this is! Perfection! 🙂

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      November 23, 2018 at 9:08 am

      Thanks so much Sherri!

      Reply
  16. Stephanie says

    March 22, 2019 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    Yum.. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Mac n Cheese is seriously one of my favorites so to make it even easier in the oven sounds perfect.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 22, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Come back and let me know what you think. Thank you!

      Reply
  17. Jen says

    March 22, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so perfectly cheesy! Mac and cheese is always a hit in our house.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 23, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Ours too!

      Reply
  18. Andrea Metlika says

    March 22, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so ooey gooey cheesy good!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 23, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Yes it is!

      Reply
  19. Tawnie Kroll says

    March 22, 2019 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    This is going to be my new go to mac and cheese recipe – sooo delish!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 23, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      It’s my go to. Let me know what you think once you’ve made it!

      Reply
  20. Katie says

    March 22, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    5 stars
    There are so many things in this recipe that I love! The cottage cheese and gouda? Plus the hot sauce? What amazing additions to the traditional mac ‘n cheese!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 23, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      So glad you are a fan. I hope you try it! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  21. Jackie says

    March 24, 2019 at 11:18 am

    Hi
    I don’t like smoked cheeses, can I use regular gouda cheese in this recipe.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 26, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Absolutely. You can mix and match whichever cheeses are your favorites. Enjoy!

      Reply
  22. Lindsay Cotter says

    March 26, 2019 at 9:26 pm

    5 stars
    Love that no boiling is necessary! Epic comfort food!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:29 am

      It’s a great short cut. Thank you!

      Reply
  23. Beth says

    March 26, 2019 at 10:30 pm

    5 stars
    Love the cheese combination in this mac n cheese. Yum Yum Yum!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:28 am

      Thanks Beth!

      Reply
  24. Toni says

    March 29, 2019 at 1:24 am

    5 stars
    This will quickly become a family favorite!!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:26 am

      I agree 🙂

      Reply
  25. Jolene says

    August 30, 2019 at 10:12 am

    Can this be made ahead of time and cooked the next day?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      August 30, 2019 at 10:27 am

      Yes, it can.

      Reply
  26. Christina Griffin says

    November 25, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    5 stars
    This is a new addition to my Thanksgiving menu that will now make appearances for many years to come! Best Mac And Cheese !!!! Megan says, “Yummo!”

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      December 10, 2021 at 10:43 am

      So happy to hear this! I hope you and your family are doing well. Megan messaged me about it too. Great to hear from you both. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Top 25 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes - Mommy Today Magazine says:
    May 31, 2019 at 11:26 am

    […] Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe by Foodtastic Mom. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

About Foodtastic Mom

jill
My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

Most Popular Recipes

Ultimate Pizza Dip | Foodtastic Mom #pizzadip #slowcookerpizzadip #crockpotpizzadip
broiled pork chop on a plate with potato wedges
Air Fryer Pork Chops | Foodtastic Mom
assembled shrimp taco on a plate
simply delicious chicken and dumplings overhead view in bowl
perfect personal pizza on a plate with celery
Oreo Krispies
French Strawberry Cake | Foodtastic Mom #frenchstrawberrycake #cakerecipes #strawberrycake
Sign up for FREE recipes straight to your INBOX!

SUBSCRIBE

© 2022 Foodtastic Mom • Privacy Policy