If you're a mac and cheese lover, get ready to up your comfort food game with three incredible methods to achieve the creamiest, cheesiest dish.

First, there's the classic béchamel sauce method, where a creamy white sauce forms the perfect base for melty cheese. Next, we explore a baked version that uses eggs to create a rich, custard-like texture that's irresistible. Finally, for those who crave simplicity, we'll show you how to make an ultra-creamy mac and cheese using just cream. Each technique offers a unique twist on this beloved dish, promising to satisfy every cheesy craving you might have!

Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Evaporated Milk

Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, cheesy Mac and Cheese. The rich cheese sauce, made with evaporated milk, coats the cooked elbow noodles for a decadent spoonful every time. This recipe has a cheesier, smoother, and creamier sauce than you're used to—especially if this is your first time making homemade mac and cheese. The best part? It's quick and easy, so it's perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or special occasions. 

Mac and Cheese with a Bechamel SaucePhoto byButter & Baggage

Making a béchamel sauce with evaporated milk takes it to new, never-before-seen creamy levels. Hearing words like béchamel and evaporated milk may make this seem complicated, but trust me; this almost as easy as making the classic blue box!

I have two tips for making really amazing mac and cheese. First, always shred your own cheese. I know you've heard this before, but it's the truth! Pre-shredded cheese is convenient in a pinch, but it has additives that don't allow the cheese to melt fully or the full flavor of the cheese to shine through. We want a super luxurious, creamy sauce and freshly grated cheeses paired with the evaporated milk is going to get us there.

Second, use a combination of cheeses for the best flavor. I used sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack, but you can use any blend of your favorite cheeses. Try mixing in gouda, gruyere, or parmesan!

Bechamel SaucePhoto byButter & Baggage

Ingredients

• ▢3 tablespoons butter
• ▢¼ cup flour
• ▢3 cups half-and-half
• ▢12 ounces evaporated milk
• ▢2 ½ cups white cheddar shredded
• ▢1 cup mozzarella shredded
• ▢1 cup Monterey Jack shredded
• ▢1 pound macaroni cooked in salted water, drained
• ▢1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• ▢1 teaspoon salt
• ▢1 teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

• Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and return to the pot.
• As the pasta cooks, warm half-and-half in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add flour and whisk for about a minute; the flour should start to take on some color.
• Gradually add the warm half-and-half to the flour mixture, whisking constantly until incorporated, then slowly add evaporated milk. Heat for about 5 minutes; it will be slightly thick.
• Remove the roux from the heat and add all but ½ cup of the cheddar cheese. Whisk until combined. Add thyme, mustard, salt, and pepper.
• Pour over cooked pasta, stirring to combine. Place in a baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the top layer of cheese has melted.

Baked Macaroni Pie

Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Just pop it in the oven and forget about it and you’ll have a perfect balance of creamy sauce and savory noodles, making it a true comfort food classic. Prep in under 30 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.

Baked Macaroni and CheesePhoto byButter & Baggage

This baked macaroni pie is loaded with cheddar cheesy goodness for the ultimate comfort food. A simple to make recipe that can be made ahead of time or in just a few minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or to take to a potluck or with a hearty bowl of taco soup.

All you need is milk, eggs, cheese, butter, and macaroni! It can't get any easier than that.

Why this macaroni pie is to die for

• It's seriously so easy to make
• You can prep a macaroni casserole ahead of time for a quick side dish
• It's loaded with lots of cheese
• You can serve this with almost any main dish
• It's kid approved

Ingredients for Baked Mac & CheesePhoto byButter & Baggage

Ingredients

• ▢¾ lb elbow macaroni
• ▢8 tablespoons butter 1 stick
• ▢16 ounces cheddar cheese grated (4 cups)
• ▢1 ½ cups milk
• ▢3 eggs slightly beaten
• ▢1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350º. Butter a 9 x 13 casserole dish
• In a large pot bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta per package directions. Drain and place back in the pot.
• While still hot, add butter and stir until melted. Next add 3 cups of the cheese, reserve the last cup for the top. Stir until it has partially melted then add the milk and last, add the beaten eggs. Stir until combined.
• Pour into the prepared casserole dish and cover with cheese.
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until it is bubbly and the cheese on top has melted.

Tips + Notes

• Don't add the eggs directly to hot pasta or they will scramble. Add the cheese and milk first to cool it down, then gradually add the eggs.
• You can make this ahead of time, just let it come to room temperature before baking.
• This makes great leftovers, just re-heat in the microwave or in the oven. If it is dry, just add a little milk or water before heating.
• Try not to use packaged grated cheese, it will not melt as well as if you grate it yourself.

Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese with Cream

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Poole's Diner is a Southern classic with a creamy base and crusty cheese on top. Comfort food at its BEST. A white cheddar cheese mac and cheese recipe without a bechamel sauce. No bells and whistles, just pasta, cream and cheese.

Mac and Cheese with CreamPhoto byButter & Baggage

You really can't mess it up, it turns out perfect every time.

What makes this so delicious is the simplicity of ingredients. It's a mac and cheese recipe that's made without flour or bread crumbs, the crunchy topping comes from the broiled cheese. You don't have to make a white sauce with flour, but you still get a creamy and cheesy sauce.

This is the mac and cheese recipe that I make any time I need a comfort food fix and don't have a lot of time. Unlike other recipes, this is more about more the cream than the cheese, although it has plenty of both.

Ingredients

• ▢6 ounces dry elbow macaroni 2 cups
• ▢1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• ▢2 ounces parmesan cheese 1/2 cup grated
• ▢2 ounces gruyere cheese 1/2 cup grated
• ▢6 ounces white cheddar 1 1/2 cups grated
• ▢2 cups heavy cream
• ▢1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• In a medium pot, bring 2 quarts of water and salt to a boil. Add pasta and boil until it is al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and place on a rimmed baking sheet to cool, sprinkle with vegetable oil.
• Combine cheese in a bowl, reserving 60% for the top.
• In a large saucepan, bring the cream and salt to a boil. Let simmer for about 2 minutes. The cream will foam and then subside. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally until it starts to thicken slightly, about 2 minutes. Add just 40% of cheese in small handfuls, stirring and waiting after each addition until completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
• Transfer to a baking dish and and add the remaining cheese to the top. Place on a baking sheet under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, rotating until the cheese melts and is golden brown. Remove and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Mac & cheese is so versatile, you can serve it with spiral hot dogs, smash burgers and Southern baked beans, or as a side for Thanksgiving. But it's also a great side for simple dinners like grilled chicken with a peach glaze or pork tenderloin with cherries. In the South it's a staple for any pork barbecue or with slow cooked ribs. Since it's so quick and easy, it may become your favorite side dish for weeknight dinners.

More Variations on Mac & Cheese

• Pimento cheese
• Pulled pork
• Kielbasa
• Chicken and Spinach
• Butternut squash

Try your hand at homemade mac and cheese, whichever type you choose, it's always a crowd pleaser.