Nani’s Easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni

Name: Nani’s Easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 4 cups whole milk; 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon paprika

This creamy baked macaroni is the perfect comfort food for busy school nights.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· August 17, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Total

45 minutes

Serves

When the school year starts, life gets busy fast. This recipe is a favorite in my house because it is filling, comforting, and always earns a clean plate from the kids.

I love to prep this right before the homework begins. A quick tip is to shred your own cheese from a block because it melts so much smoother than the pre shredded kind you find in bags.

🧺 Ingredients

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a large baking dish with a little butter.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni for two minutes less than the package says so it stays firm.
3
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour until it is smooth and bubbly.
4
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly so no lumps form, then cook until the sauce thickens.
5
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper, paprika, and three cups of the shredded cheese until everything is melted.
6
Combine the cooked pasta and the cheese sauce in your baking dish, then top with the remaining cup of cheese.
7
Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden on top.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave with a tiny splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy.

#comfort food #family dinner #vegetarian #pasta

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.