oven baked mac and cheese with bechamel sauce

Veggie Lover’s Stovetop Mac & Cheese makes it a full-meal deal with broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.

If you’re vegan, this Ridiculously Creamy Vegan Shells & Cheese or Super Creamy Vegan Stovetop Mac & “Cheese” will totally hit the spot.

I (and many others) have doubled this recipe with success – no changes needed other than a bigger pan! More Mac & Cheese Recipes

No! Whole milk will do just fine the result may be a bit thicker though. Yum.) Other readers have added mozzarella or jack for some stretchy goodness, creamy havarti, parmesan (loads of flavor!), or prefer to go with extra-sharp cheddar. Readers report using smoked cheese for tons of sultry goodness (one reader reported using smoked cheddar, smoked gouda, and smoked gruyere. You can also tweak the flavor by varying the cheeses.

If you like heat, adding jalapeños is delicious (get my Jalapeño Mac & Cheese recipe here). Some readers like to add a hefty pinch of onion powder, others love a bit of nutmeg. And I love how dry mustard powder helps emphasize the cheesy flavor. This one has smoked paprika for – yep – a smoky note.

I love adding seasonings to the roux to amp up my mac and cheese. So do what works best for you! What can I add to mac and cheese for flavor? That said, the convenience of pre-shredded cheese can’t be denied! And a mac and cheese with pre-shredded cheese is better than no mac and cheese at all. I definitely prefer freshly grated, as pre-shredded cheese can result in a grainier sauce. Do you use bags of shredded cheese or freshly grated? Just like making it ahead and refrigerating it, the result isn’t quite as saucy. Then I bring it out and let it thaw at room temp for an hour or so, and then into the oven. Yes, I have frozen it with success! I make it up to the point of baking, cover well, and freeze right in the pan. It will still be delicious, but that’s a downside. However! Your mac and cheese might not be quite as creamy as if it had gone straight into the oven. Yes! I will assemble it up to the point of baking and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before it’s time to bake it. Frequently Asked Questions Can I make it ahead of time?

Oven baked mac and cheese with bechamel sauce