One Dish Oven Baked Mac & Cheese

Just one dish, no precooking the pasta to add it in with the sauce. Nice and easy and so deliciously comforting. This homemade One Dish Oven Baked Mac & Cheese has been a favorite of mine for many years.

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I mean, noodles swimming in a thick, silky creamy cheese sauce that’s spiked with onions, AND it’s easy to make! Count me in!

Oh, and it’s super budget-friendly.

Cupboard Cooking

If you have a copy of my cookbook, Cupboard Cooking, then you already have a copy of this recipe. I’ve changed it a little bit for the first publication, however it’s just as good, and just as easy as the original.

I love this recipe too because anyone can make it. It’s super easy, just toss the ingredients in an oven proof casserole dish, pop in the oven, give it a couple of stirs, mix in the cheese, and you have a delicious dinner!

Can I use a different broth?

I’m a big believer in using ingredients that taste good to you and your family.

I love vegetable broth. I find the flavor to be neutral in all the dishes I make, and I really like the mild veggie flavor. Not to mention the fact that it makes the dish vegetarian.

What already tastes good to you is what will end up being your favorite.

I use Better Than Bouillon vegetable base for pretty much all of my cooking (if it’s not homemade broth). I like that it isn’t too salty, and how little space it takes to store so much broth.

However, if the idea of vegetable broth isn’t pleasant to you, or you just think you’re going to really prefer chicken broth, by all means, use that. Again, use what already tastes good to you.

What milk to use?

This is a pretty simple dish, so I recommend going with whole milk.

But, if you want a mac & cheese that’s lighter in calories, you can use a lighter milk. I have made it many times with lighter milk, 2% and skim milk, and it works just fine.

What kind of cheese should I use?

I prefer simple extra sharp cheddar cheese in this baked mac and cheese.

You can also use low-fat cheddar cheese in this dish to lighten it a bit.

I’ve also mixed up the cheese, to make 3 cheese mac & cheese. Try Monterey Jack cheese, Gruyère, mozzarella, Smoked Gouda (which would lend a meaty flavor to the dish), or Parmesan.

Other mac & cheese dishes

I’m a big fan of mac & cheese. It’s so comforting and delicious.

I have a few others you may like as well.

Crock pot mac & cheese, for when you need to feed a crowd

Butternut squash mac & cheese, for a lightened up version

And, here are some great recipes from my friends:

Instant Pot mac & cheese

Chicken Cordon Bleu creamy mac & cheese

Gouda mac & cheese

One pot chili mac & cheese

French onion mac & cheese

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One Dish Oven Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe