Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
Craving comfort? This Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese is the ultimate creamy, cheesy indulgence. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to a perfectly smooth, never watery sauce. Keep reading for my tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Dump And Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole and Honey Pineapple Salmon.
Why This Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, never watery sauce
- Easy to make, better than takeout
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Flour
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dijon mustard
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Bacon
- Optional: Broccoli
- Optional: Chopped parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Milk: Whole milk works best for a creamy sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Heavy-duty pot — Even heat distribution prevents hot spots → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quickly grates cheese for a smooth sauce → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Cook pasta: Boil elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter, add flour to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk, then add cheese and seasonings. Stir until smooth.
- Combine and bake: Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, top with optional toppings, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Adding too much milk can make the sauce watery. To fix, cook the sauce longer to reduce and thicken.
- Tip: For a crispy top, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on before baking.
- Tip: Add cooked vegetables or proteins to make a complete meal.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Combine with cooked pasta and bake when ready.
Freezing Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream for milk for an extra creamy sauce.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Combine with cooked pasta and bake when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more milk. If it's too thin, cook it longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality colander — Draining pasta is quick and easy with a colander's large surface area → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Flour
- Butter
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dijon mustard
Optional Toppings
- Breadcrumbs
- Bacon
- Broccoli
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter, add flour to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk, then add cheese and seasonings. Stir until smooth.
- Combine and bake: Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, top with optional toppings, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: Reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream for milk for an extra creamy sauce.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Combine with cooked pasta and bake when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more milk. If it's too thin, cook it longer to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Combine with cooked pasta and bake when ready.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe FAQs
Adding too much milk or not cooking the sauce long enough can cause a watery mac and cheese. To fix, cook the sauce longer to reduce and thicken.
Yes, prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge. Combine with cooked pasta and bake when ready.
Add cooked vegetables, proteins, or spices to customize your mac and cheese.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
This recipe is not gluten-free as it contains flour. Use a gluten-free alternative to make it gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Joanna Gaines Mac and Cheese Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
