Bangin' Mac and Cheese (2024)

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Bangin’ Mac and Cheese recipe made from scratch comfort food just– perfect for potluck dinners.

This recipe is from June 2011, you guys.

This was one of the first recipes I put on the blog.

I was still living in my parent’s house. I just started my first job and started dating Jason.

I figured, why not be an adult and makeadult mac ‘n cheese?

There’s truly not much that is “adult” about this recipe except it’s not out of a blue box.

It’s just “from scratch,” but let’s be real — some nights, the blue box mac ‘n cheese is totally needed.

I also named this bangin’ because it has some KICK to it!

Bangin’ Mac and Cheese

This is the richest, creamiest, mac & cheese with a kick, you’ll ever have.

It takes no time at all to prep and has the simplest ingredients that you should already have in your pantry & fridge.

Oh, notice how I never mentioned that this was healthy ;)

This bangin’ mac and cheese recipe is the epitome of the comfort food we all know and love.

Loaded with three types of cheesy goodness, it’s a cheese lovers dream.

You’ll love it so much you might as well go ahead and make two batches.

What Makes This Mac and Cheese Bangin’?

There are a few components that make this mac and cheese truly bangin’.

It might just seem like your typical mac and cheese from the outside, but trust me, there are a few things that make this special.

From the perfect blend of cheeses to the dash of spice from the cayenne pepper, all topped off with the crispy brown bread crumbs; there is simply no other way to explain it.

When this first came out of the oven, Jason and I both thought the same thing “eh, what’s the big deal? It’s just pasta and cheese.” WRONG.

Even while I was making this, I was thinking “man, this is so simple, it’s going to suck and just be a flopped dish.”

I’m so glad it was the complete opposite. And best of all: it was made from scratch!

Seriously, I was floored when I had my first bite.

Jason said, “Wow. This.is.awesome.”

So, trust me when I say you absolutely have to give the recipe a try.

What Do I Need To Make This Mac and Cheese Recipe?

• Extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• Colby cheese, shredded
• Pasta shapes (I used shells)
• Whole milk
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Cayenne pepper
• Butter
• Salt

How To Make Bangin’ Mac and Cheese

Don’t let that “made from scratch” line intimidate you, this recipe is still easy enough for mac and cheese lovers of all skill levels.

You don’t need any kind of fancy tools or specially trained skills for this one.

Cook everything according to the directions below!

You’ll definitely want to remember to sprinkle the toasted panko bread crumbs on top before putting it in the oven.

Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and bake. Serve & enjoy! :)

Tips For Perfecting This Bangin’ Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Do NOT cook pasta all the way through. cook it 1/2 way — it will finish cooking in the oven
• Use pre-shredded if you want. The more authentic way to make this recipe is to buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself, but if you want to save a little time, it’s totally fine to cheat and buy the pre-shredded like I did.
• Use whole milk, not skim. Skim milk is too watery to use in this recipe. If you try to use skim milk you won’t end up with the same creamy consistency as I did in the original recipe.
• Remember to let the crumbs brown. The crunchy topping is arguably the BEST part of this entire mac and cheese dish. Make sure you don’t forget the last step to brown the crumbs on top. It will still be fine if you do forget, but the dish will be unforgettable if you remember.

Like This Mac and Cheese? Then You’ll Love These Comfort Food Dishes

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Sausage and Gravy Soup

Pumpkin BBQ Sloppy Joe’s

White Pizza Grilled Cheese

Tender Oven-Baked Honey Butter Ribs

Fast Easy Biscuits

Photos by Jesse Reilly