This baked mac and cheese is a BBQ cookout staple that never disappoints. Cream cheese adds extra richness and helps create a smooth, creamy sauce that holds up well alongside smoked and grilled meats, while a crispy breadcrumb topping adds just the right amount of texture.
At a Glance
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hours
Total Time
1 hours 15 minutes
Serves
8–10
Ingredients
- 1 box pasta (elbow or tube-style pasta)
- ½ package cream cheese
- 4 cups shredded cheese (your choice)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Breadcrumbs, for topping
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter
- Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 5 minutes, whisking constantly, until smooth and lightly golden.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, about half at a time, allowing the mixture to thicken before adding more.
- Once thickened, slowly whisk in the cream in the same way, allowing the sauce to thicken between additions.
- Add the cream cheese and cook, stirring, until fully melted and smooth.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Season the sauce with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a shallow baking dish.
- Top evenly with breadcrumbs and lightly spray with oil.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm.
Pro Tips
- Don’t rush the cheese sauce. Cooking the roux gently and adding liquids slowly helps prevent the sauce from breaking.
- For best melting, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
- Instead of finishing in the oven you can use a smoker for added smokey flavor.
