Creamy, rich, and simply delicious, this baked mac and cheese with a crunchy topping is an easy side dish that is ready to eat in less than an hour.
My kids could live on mac and cheese, I think. I use the boxed kind most of the time out of convenience and they love it, of course. I’d rather have homemade mac and cheese any day though. It just doesn’t compare. It’s so gooey, cheesy, creamy, and just tastes better. This recipe specifically is out of this world good! The Cheez It crunchy topping takes this to the next level. Even my kids said, “this is the best mom.”
This baked mac and cheese would pair great with Balsamic Margarita Flank Steak or this BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich.
To make this recipe you will need a cheese grater, a whisk, measuring cups and spoons, a stock pot, a 2-quart casserole dish, and a medium sized skillet.
Ingredients
- Dried Ziti Pasta
- Olive Oil
- White Sharp Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Butter
- Flour
- Heavy Cream
- Whole Milk
- Cheez It’s
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Cook the dried Ziti pasta to al dente or 2 minutes before the packages instructs is done. Drain and put in a 2-quart casserole dish. Toss the pasta with the olive oil so the pasta doesn’t all stick together.
- Shred 2 cups worth of sharp white cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- In a medium sized skillet. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.
- Once melted, increase the heat to medium and add the flour and whisk together. Continue to whisk and slowly add in the heavy cream and the milk. Mixture should slightly thicken. Add the salt and pepper and whisk.
- Add both of the shredded cheeses. Reduce heat to low and whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is gooey and creamy.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until all the pasta is well coated.
- Crush up the Cheez It’s and add 1 tablespoon of melted butter and mix together well. Sprinkle over top of the cheesy pasta in an even layer.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, rich, and simply delicious, this baked mac and cheese with a crunchy topping is an easy side dish that is ready to eat in less than an hour.
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Dried Ziti Pasta
- 1 Tsp Olive Oil
- 2 C White Sharp Cheddar
- 1 C Mozzarella
- 3 Tbs Butter (Separated)
- 2 Tbs Flour
- 1 1/2 C Heavy Cream
- 1/2 C Whole Milk
- 2 Ounces Cheeze It
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Cook the dried Ziti pasta to al dente or 2 minutes before the packages instructs is done. Drain and put in a 2-quart casserole dish. Toss the pasta with the olive oil so the pasta doesn't all stick together.
- Shred 2 cups worth of sharp white cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- In a medium sized skillet. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.
- Once melted, increase the heat to medium and add the flour and whisk together. Continue to whisk and slowly add in the heavy cream and the milk. Mixture should slightly thicken. Add the salt and pepper and whisk.
- Add both of the shredded cheeses. Reduce heat to low and whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is gooey and creamy.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until all the pasta is well coated.
- Crush up the Cheez It's and add 1 tablespoon of melted butter and mix together well. Sprinkle over top of the cheesy pasta in an even layer.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve.
Olivia says
My favorite comfort meal! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe, I loved the Cheez It topping!
Allyson Zea says
This baked mac & cheese looks absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to dig in!