Discover the ultimate comforting side dish with our Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Simply seasoned and baked to perfection, it's a classic favorite that's so much better than boxed. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, it's comfort food at its finest!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Baked to perfection, this Dutch oven mac and cheese captures the essence of home-cooked comfort without the fuss!
Simply cook your noodles, stir together all ingredients, bake, and enjoy the medley of tender noodles and rich, savory cheese.
Whether you're hosting a family gathering or simply craving a hearty yet satisfying meal, this classic favorite is a must-try.
Ditch the boxed versions and indulge in the homemade goodness of our Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese—it's guaranteed to become a staple on your comfort food menu!
Ingredients
- macaroni
- evaporated milk
- milk
- butter
- eggs
- cheddar cheese - freshly shredded
- salt, pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Place your Dutch oven and lid in your oven and preheat to 325°. Cook macaroni according to the box directions until al dente. Drain and combine with evaporated milk, milk, melted butter, eggs, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture carefully into a heated Dutch oven and stir. Be careful as your Dutch oven will be warm! Place the lid back on the Dutch oven and put it back in the oven for 1 hour. Enjoy!
Hint: Spray your dutch oven with olive oil or another non-stick spray so the mac and cheese is easy to scoop out on the edges.
Substitutions and Variations
- Macaroni - You could try this recipe with other noodles. Just be sure to cook your noodles to al dente before baking.
- Cheese - We used cheddar cheese, but you could substitute your favorite cheese. Freshly shredded cheese will melt much better than pre-shredded cheese, so we highly recommend it! Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents added that don't allow it to melt as well.
- 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese - Use 1 cup of 3 different cheeses. Our top recommendations would be cheddar cheese, gouda, gruyere, white cheddar, parmesan, swiss, or Monterey Jack. All of the different combinations will have a different unique flavor.
Equipment
You will need a cheese grater and a Dutch oven to make this mac and cheese.
You may be able to use other oven-safe pots, however we find that Dutch ovens have the best heat distribution. They can be used for so much more than mac and cheese—try them for other dishes like our Dutch Oven Collard Greens.
Get Creative!
Get creative with add-ins to make loaded mac and cheese. Mix in cooked bacon or ham, add chopped broccoli, asparagus, or spinach, or toss in some diced tomatoes. The possibilities are endless!
Storage
- Storage - Dutch oven mac and cheese can be stored for 3-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Be sure to store properly within two hours of cooking due to food safety.
- Freezing - You can freeze this macaroni and cheese but it will change the texture. If you do want to freeze it, allow the macaroni to cool, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and store it for up to 3 months.
- Reheating - Reheat in the oven or the microwave until warm. If reheating from the freezer, defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.
FAQ
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but other great options are gruyere, gouda, parmesan, and Monterey Jack.
Dry and crumbly cheeses (like feta) will not melt as well and will create dry macaroni and cheese.
Pairing Recommendations
These are my favorite dishes to serve with dutch oven mac and cheese:
Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 1 stick butter melted
- 2 eggs slightly beaten
- 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place your Dutch oven and lid in your oven and preheat to 325°.
- Cook the macaroni according to the box directions until al dente. Drain.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture carefully into your heated Dutch oven and stir. Be careful as your Dutch oven will be warm! Place the lid back on the Dutch oven and put it back in the oven for 1 hour. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!