Name: Baked Mac and Cheese for Easter Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Elbow Macaroni; Sharp Cheddar Cheese; Gruyere Cheese; Parmesan Cheese; Butter; Flour; Milk; Heavy Cream; Nutmeg; Salt and Pepper

Baked Mac and Cheese for Easter Dinner

By Megan

April 18, 2025

Delicious Baked Mac and Cheese garnished with parsley, a perfect side dish for Easter.

Baked Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Easter Comfort Food 🧀🐰🌷

1. Introduction

Looking for the perfect, crowd-pleasing side dish to grace your Easter dinner table? Look no further! This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is a guaranteed home run, adding a generous helping of creamy, cheesy, irresistible goodness to your holiday feast. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles and second helpings. Elevate your Easter Mac and Cheese game with this surprisingly easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for both novice cooks just starting their culinary journey and seasoned pros looking for a reliable winner. Prepare for rave reviews and empty plates as your family and friends eagerly indulge in this ultimate comfort food. This Mac and Cheese for Easter is more than just a side; it’s a must-have tradition in the making!

This recipe isn’t just about throwing ingredients together; it’s about creating a symphony of flavors. It features a thoughtfully curated blend of flavorful cheeses, carefully baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It’s more than just a side dish; it’s a delicious statement of love expressed through the art of food. This year, make this Holiday Baked Macaroni and Cheese the undisputed star of your Easter celebration! If you are looking for more ideas for dinner, check out these dinner recipes.

2. Why This Recipe Works

This Baked Mac and Cheese Easter recipe isn’t a gamble; it’s carefully designed for guaranteed success. The secret lies in the harmonious blend of cheeses. We’re using a winning combination of sharp cheddar for that classic tang, Gruyere for a nutty and subtly sweet complexity, and Parmesan cheese to contribute a salty, savory umami depth that elevates it far beyond your basic, run-of-the-mill macaroni and cheese. Baking it to a perfectly golden brown ensures a luxuriously creamy interior with a picture-perfect, delightfully golden crust. The unexpected addition of just a touch of nutmeg enhances the overall warmth and comforting richness of the dish, tying all the flavors together beautifully. Looking for a sweet treat after your meal? Browse these dessert recipes! The result? A truly unforgettable Easter Mac and Cheese experience that will have everyone begging for the recipe. If you want to add a new twist, try adding some Korean ground beef, you can find a recipe here!

3. Key Ingredients

Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for a reason! But feel free to experiment – other shapes like shells or cavatappi work wonderfully too, each offering a slightly different texture.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides that irresistible tangy and sharp base flavor that everyone loves and expects in a good mac and cheese.
Gruyere Cheese: This is where things get interesting! Gruyere adds a layer of nutty and slightly sweet complexity, elevating the dish to gourmet status.
Parmesan Cheese: Offers a salty and savory “umami” punch, adding depth and richness that balances the other flavors perfectly.
Butter: Essential for creating the base of the cheese sauce (the roux) and adding overall richness. Don’t skimp on the butter!
Flour: Used to thicken the cheese sauce, ensuring it’s perfectly creamy and clings beautifully to the macaroni.
Milk: Forms the main liquid base of our luscious and creamy cheese sauce.
Heavy Cream: The secret weapon for adding extra decadence, richness, and an incredibly smooth, velvety texture.
Nutmeg: Just a touch, but it makes a world of difference! Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth that beautifully complements the cheese flavors.
Salt and Pepper: To season everything perfectly and enhance all the delicious flavors. Don’t forget to taste and adjust as needed!

4. Equipment Needed

Large Pot: For boiling the macaroni. Make sure it’s big enough to allow the pasta to move freely.
Saucepan: The workhorse for making the cheese sauce. Choose one with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching.
Whisk: Absolutely essential for ensuring a smooth, lump-free cheese sauce.
9×13 Inch Baking Dish: The perfect size for baking the macaroni and cheese. You can also use a slightly smaller or larger dish, adjusting the baking time accordingly.

5. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

Preheat your oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and prevents the top from browning too quickly. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions, but be careful *not* to overcook it. You want it to be al dente – slightly firm to the bite. Drain the macaroni very well and set it aside. Al dente pasta is key! It holds up much better during baking, preventing it from becoming mushy and ensuring your Baked Mac and Cheese has the perfect, satisfying texture for your spectacular Easter Mac and Cheese feast. Serving ham for Easter? Check out this glazed ham recipe!

Elbow macaroni boiling for a delicious Baked Mac and Cheese, perfect for Easter Dinner.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Blend

Grate the cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses. Use a box grater or a food processor for the job. Having all your cheeses prepped, measured, and ready to go ensures a smooth and efficient cheese sauce-making process, preventing any frantic, last-minute grating and guaranteeing your spectacular Holiday Baked Macaroni and Cheese comes together flawlessly. A well-prepared cheese blend is absolutely key to achieving that ultimate, irresistible cheesy flavor explosion in your memorable Mac and Cheese for Easter. If you want to add some other dishes for Easter, check out this mac and cheese recipe.

Cheddar, parmesan, and gruyere cheeses prepared for cheesy Easter Baked Mac and Cheese.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until a smooth paste forms. This is called a “roux,” and it’s the foundation of your creamy cheese sauce. Be sure to cook it long enough to eliminate any raw flour taste, but don’t let it brown. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, a little at a time, whisking continuously to ensure there are absolutely no lumps. Patience is key here! Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Now, add the grated cheeses, one handful at a time, whisking constantly until each handful is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety before adding the next. Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Taste frequently and adjust the seasonings as needed to create the perfect, personalized Baked Mac and Cheese Easter edition that suits your palate.

Simmering cheese sauce for a rich and creamy Baked Mac and Cheese.

Step 4: Bake the Mac and Cheese

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently but thoroughly to combine, ensuring every piece of macaroni is evenly coated in that glorious cheese sauce. Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese sauce is heated through. Let the Mac and Cheese for Easter rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve.

Cooked macaroni being mixed with cheese sauce for an Easter Baked Mac and Cheese recipe.

6. Tips and Variations

Add Breadcrumbs: Take your mac and cheese to the next level! Top with buttered breadcrumbs for extra crunch and a beautiful golden-brown crust. Simply melt some butter, toss with breadcrumbs, and sprinkle over the top before baking.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a subtle kick of heat.
Add Protein: Make it a complete meal by mixing in cooked bacon, diced ham, shredded chicken, or even crumbled sausage.
Vegetarian Option: Load it up with roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrients.
Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses to create your own signature blend. Gouda, Fontina, Monterey Jack, or even a little bit of blue cheese can add unique and delicious flavors.

7. Serving Suggestions

This Baked Mac and Cheese is, without a doubt, the perfect side dish to complete your special Easter Dinner. Serve it alongside a traditional glazed ham, a succulent roast chicken, a tender leg of lamb or alongside lentil potato soup, you can find it here. It also pairs exceptionally well with fresh spring vegetables like tender asparagus and crisp green beans. For an extra festive and eye-catching touch, garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley or chives before serving. Don’t forget to check out this Easter bunny cake recipe too!

8. Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

One of the best things about this Holiday Baked Macaroni and Cheese is that you can easily assemble it a day ahead of time, making your Easter dinner prep a breeze. Simply prepare the recipe as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to bake it, add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through. Leftovers, if you have any, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. If you want a potato soup recipe, check this one!

9. Conclusion

This truly exceptional Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food experience, making it an absolutely perfect addition to your festive Easter dinner. It’s incredibly creamy, wonderfully cheesy, and guaranteed to be a resounding hit with everyone gathered around the table. With its simple, straightforward ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, even beginner cooks can confidently create a truly memorable dish that is sure to become a cherished family favorite for many years to come. Enjoy this incredible Mac and Cheese for Easter, and happy cooking! Want to make potato broccoli cheddar soup? Check this recipe.