Pecorino cheese – Ok, yes, there are three kinds of cheese in this recipe! I add the pecorino to the breadcrumb topping to give it a salty, cheesy kick.Extra-virgin olive oil – You’ll toss it with the breadcrumbs to help them crisp up as they bake.

Once they toast in the oven, they create a crispy topping for the creamy mac and cheese.

Coarse breadcrumbs – To make them, just pulse a couple slices of good bread in a food processor until they’re coarsely ground.

Smoked paprika – For a subtle smoky taste.

Dijon mustard – Many classic mac and cheese recipes call for mustard powder, but because I always have Dijon mustard on hand, I add it instead.

Then, you’ll whisk in the milk to give the sauce rich body. You’ll use the butter and flour to make a roux, which will thicken the sauce.

Butter, flour, and whole milk – These ingredients form a simple béchamel sauce, the starting point for the cheese sauce in this recipe.

Sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheese – I LOVE this combo in my baked mac and cheese! The cheddar is tangy, the Gruyère is nutty, and both melt into an amazingly creamy sauce.

Macaroni, of course! This cute elbow pasta is perfect for cradling the cheesy sauce.

This homemade macaroni and cheese is on a totally different level. If you’re used to eating mac and cheese from a box, get ready. Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients If not, we can attest that it’s a delicious everyday dinner too. I hope this recipe makes it onto your Thanksgiving or Christmas table this year. A few years back, I ran an Instagram poll about holiday sides, and so many of you said that homemade mac and cheese was one of your favorites. I’ve been wanting to add a baked macaroni and cheese recipe to the blog for a while now. Seriously, comfort food doesn’t get better than this.

It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s packed with gooey noodles and crispy, toasty breadcrumbs. Jack can’t get enough of it, I keep finding myself going back for more, and our kiddo has been asking for “MAC!” ever since the first time he tried it. If your family is anything like ours, then this baked mac and cheese recipe will be a huge hit.

Thick mac and cheese noodles