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Baked Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese

Baked Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese

This Baked Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and perfectly golden on top — all made on a single sheet pan for easy cooking and cleanup! A crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or family gatherings. Customize with add-ins like bacon, breadcrumbs, or veggies for extra flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 7 Servings
Course: comfort food, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Mac and Cheese
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder optional
  • For the Topping
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional

Equipment

  • Large sheet pan
  • Parchment paper or foil
  • Medium pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat Oven
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  3. Cook Pasta
  4. Boil macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  5. Make Cheese Sauce
  6. In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  7. Combine Pasta & Sauce
  8. Toss the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until well coated. Spread evenly on the prepared sheet pan.
  9. Add Topping
  10. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
  11. Bake
  12. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  13. Serve
  14. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Use sharp cheddar for extra cheesy flavor.
Add cooked bacon, ham, or roasted veggies for variety.
For a crispy topping, broil the last 2–3 minutes but watch closely.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.