Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy and cheesy Loaded Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. Perfect for a cozy night in or a crowd-pleasing side dish at your next gathering.
Let’s be honest—macaroni and cheese is already pretty perfect. But when you load it up with crispy bacon, extra cheese, and savory mix-ins, you get something even more crave-worthy: a loaded mac and cheese recipe that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Whether you’re prepping a holiday dinner, hosting a game-day get-together, or just feeding a hungry crew, this dish hits all the right notes. It’s creamy, cheesy, crunchy, and packed with flavor. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that goes beyond the basics, this loaded version is where it’s at.
What Is a Loaded Mac and Cheese Recipe?
A loaded mac and cheese recipe takes traditional baked macaroni and cheese to the next level. Think beyond cheese and pasta—this dish is packed with flavor-boosting add-ins like:
- Crispy bacon
- Caramelized onions
- Sharp cheddar and creamy gouda
- Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley
- A buttery, golden breadcrumb topping
It’s like mac and cheese got a major glow-up. Still comforting, still familiar, but with way more texture, taste, and richness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your average boxed mac. Here’s why this loaded mac and cheese recipe stands out:
- Super creamy sauce: A blend of cheeses and heavy cream creates that dreamy, velvety texture.
- Bold flavors: Smoky bacon, savory seasonings, and flavorful cheese bring serious depth.
- Crunchy topping: The breadcrumb layer adds the perfect crispy finish.
- Easy to customize: Swap the proteins, play with the cheese, or add heat for your own twist.
Once you try this version, you might never go back to plain mac and cheese again.
Ingredients That Make This Mac & Cheese Loaded
Let’s break down what goes into a next-level mac and cheese.
1. The Cheese
This is the heart of any mac and cheese dish. For a loaded version, you’ll want a mix of melty and bold cheeses like:
- Sharp cheddar: Cabot has a great guide on cheddar cheese varieties if you want to explore more options.
- Smoked gouda or fontina: For richness and meltability
- Parmesan: Adds that umami punch
2. The Pasta
Stick with short, sturdy shapes that can hold up to the sauce and toppings:
- Elbow macaroni (of course)
- Cavatappi
- Shells
3. The Protein
Adding a savory protein gives the dish extra heartiness:
- Crispy bacon or pancetta
- Cooked chicken or shredded rotisserie
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
4. Seasonings and Extras
These elements bring your loaded mac to life:
- Garlic and onion powder
- Paprika or cayenne for a little kick
- Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives
5. The Topping
A buttery breadcrumb topping makes this dish feel complete:
- Panko or crushed Ritz crackers
- Butter
- Parmesan or cheddar for extra crunch
Best Cheeses to Use in a Loaded Mac and Cheese Recipe
If you want a restaurant-quality finish at home, the cheese matters. Here are the top picks:
- Sharp cheddar: The cornerstone of all mac and cheese. It melts well and has a punch of flavor.
- Gruyère: Fancy, nutty, and smooth. Great for creaminess.
- Smoked gouda: Brings a smoky depth and ultra-creamy finish.
- Cream cheese: A little goes a long way to thicken and smooth out the sauce.
- Fontina or Monterey Jack: Mild and melty, perfect for layering in.
Pro tip: always shred your cheese fresh. Pre-shredded blends have anti-caking agents that affect texture.
How to Make Your Loaded Mac and Cheese Extra Flavorful
Looking for ways to really amp up the flavor of your loaded mac and cheese recipe? Try these pro tips:
- Use bacon fat in the roux: Instead of butter, use some of the leftover bacon fat to build your sauce base. Instant flavor boost! The secret to creamy mac and cheese? A good roux. If you’re new to it, this guide from Serious Eats breaks it down step by step.
- Add garlic and caramelized onions: A sautéed onion adds sweetness and depth.
- Stir in Dijon mustard: Just a small spoonful can enhance the cheese flavor.
- Season every layer: Don’t just rely on the cheese—make sure the pasta water is salted, the sauce is seasoned, and even your topping has flavor.
What to Serve with Loaded Mac and Cheese
This dish is filling enough to stand on its own, but if you’re building a full meal, here are some easy pairings:
- Grilled or roasted veggies: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, or green beans
- BBQ meats: Pulled pork, ribs, or smoked chicken
- Fresh green salad: To balance out the richness
- Cornbread or biscuits: Because why not?
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Because this mac is loaded, it reheats like a dream (and may even taste better the next day). Here’s how to make it last:
Storing:
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating:
- Microwave: Add a splash of milk before reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Oven: Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, covered with foil.
- Stovetop: Gently reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Want to freeze it? Skip the breadcrumb topping, freeze in an airtight dish, then bake with fresh breadcrumbs when ready to serve.
Commonly Asked Questions
It means the dish includes extra ingredients like meats (bacon, sausage), multiple types of cheese, seasonings, and a crunchy topping. Basically, it’s mac and cheese turned up to 100.
Absolutely. Assemble everything (except the topping), store it in the fridge overnight, and bake when you’re ready to serve. Add the topping just before baking to keep it crisp.
Elbow macaroni is the classic, but cavatappi and shells are also great options. You want a pasta that holds sauce well and doesn’t fall apart when baked.
Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a swirl of hot sauce to the cheese sauce. You can even use pepper jack cheese to kick things up.
Of course! Just load it up with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers instead. You’ll still get all the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Similar Recipes
If you enjoy casserole dishes like this, you will enjoy the recipes below!
- Loaded Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese
- Beer and Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Southern Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe – Quick & Easy Meal
Loaded Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
If you like Loaded French Fries, you will love this all-star and super easy recipe of Loaded Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Filled with bacon, jalapeno, chives, and diced tomatoes!
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Elbow Macaroni Pasta
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1/2 c. flour
- 4 c. milk
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 16 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded and divided
- 8 oz. White Cheddar Cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 lb. Bacon, cooked and diced
- 1 jalapeno, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 c. chives, chopped
- 6 oz. diced tomatoes and chilles, drained
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cook macaroni until cooked al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Once you’ve drained the pasta and have the pasta water set to the side, place the pasta back into the pot or a bowl with the water and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Sprinkle in ½ cup of flour. The mixture will look lumpy. Very slowly, pour in the milk 1 cup at a time stirring out the lumps, making a creamy mixture. Continue to pour in the milk and stir at the same time on medium heat. Allow to come to a slight simmer, 2-3 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly.
- Next, add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, garlic powder, and Worcestershire Sauce; add the cream cheese, half of the shredded cheddar cheese and white cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth, creamy, and the cheeses have completely melted.
- Next, add the macaroni and stir until evenly distributed. Finally, add the jalapeno, chives, bacon, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir until evenly distributed. In a 9X13 casserole dish, pour half of the macaroni mixture into the dish, sprinkle with half of the left over cheeses in the middle, pour the rest of the macaroni mixture on top, sprinkle with any left over cheese and the panko bread crumbs. Bake in a preheated oven on 350 Degrees for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cook and serve!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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