the best mac and cheese

last updated on October 30, 2026

For day 4 of my 12 Days of Christmas Recipes we are making the best mac and cheese! I feel like any good party or gathering has a big pan of mac and cheese, so this recipe will be a hit at all your holiday gatherings!

I think homemade mac and cheese can seem intimidating if you’ve never made it before, but it is actually quite simple and comes together quicker than you would think! Plus this recipe is so creamy and cheesy that everyone is going to love it. If you prefer baked mac and cheese, I have instructions for that, too! So this is basically the best mac and cheese recipe around.

ingredients needed for the best mac and cheese

• 8 oz macaroni
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
• 1/2 cup crushed ritz crackers (optional)
• 2 tbsp butter (optional)

how to make the best mac and cheese

There are a couple secrets to getting the creamiest mac and cheese. First, and most important, is using freshly shredded cheese! Pre-shredded cheese comes with starches on it (to prevent it from sticking together) so it makes it so it won’t melt as well. So, the best thing to do is to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself! Then it will melt beautifully and you’ll have the creamiest sauce.

If you are not baking this, you should serve it right away while it is still creamy! If it sits out for a while it will start to get less creamy. To revive the creaminess, add a splash of milk or a bit of reserved pasta water and the sauce will be back to it’s best shape!

so you want baked mac and cheese?

If you prefer baked mac and cheese, this recipe works perfect! Once you’ve finished adding the pasta to the sauce, pour the pasta into a baking dish (about 8×8″). If you want a little extra cheese, add a thin layer of cheese in the middle then the rest of the pasta on top.

Now for the best part of the baked version of mac and cheese — the topping! Most baked mac and cheese recipes will be topped with either panko breadcrumbs or ritz crackers. Since this is the best best of the best, we are using BOTH. They both give a different type of crunch and they work so well together. Obviously, you can just use one, but if you can, treat yourself and use both!

Once the toppings are on, transfer it to the oven. In my post on Instagram, I cooked my mine in Ninja’s Woodfire Outdoor Grill, using the smoker function! It gave it a delicious smoky taste! But, I recognize that so few of you have a smoker, so in the recipe card below I am just providing instructions for baking it in the oven. But, if you do want to make it in your smoker, here is how to do it! You don’t want it to have too much smoky flavor, so depending on how strong your smoker is, I would recommend smoking it for about 10 minutes. This gives the mac a nice smoky flavor that isn’t too overbearing! Then you can taste the pasta, and if you want more smoky flavor, throw it back on for a little longer!

other recipes you will love

• sweet potato galette
• butternut squash mac and cheese
• pesto honey grilled cheese
• creamy tomato basil soup

the best mac and cheese

[category] Main Course, Side Dish

[published] December 8, 2022

[PREP] 15 minutes mins

[COOK] 30 minutes mins

[TOTAL] 45 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• 8 oz macaroni
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese freshly shredded
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs optional
• 1/2 cup crushed ritz crackers optional
• 2 tbsp butter, melted optional

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
2. Add butter to a large pan over medium heat. When it has melted, add flour and whisk together until a thick paste forms. Slowly add the milk, whisking as you add. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
3. Cook the mixture down until it has thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Add all the spices and whisk until fully incorporated. Turn the heat to low, add shredded cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Add the cooked pasta and stir until fully coated. If you are not baking the mac and cheese, you are done here — enjoy while it is hot!
5. If you are baking the mac and cheese, preheat the oven to 350 F. Add panko breadcrumbs and crushed ritz crackers to a small bowl. Add melted butter and stir to combine.
6. Transfer the pasta to a baking dish and top with the panko/cracker mixture. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the topping is starting to brown. Enjoy!