This easy cast iron skillet mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food and is a family favorite. Over the years I have taken our family recipe and made it our own – adding spices we love and baking it in a cast iron pan instead of a casserole dish. The great thing about this recipe is that you can include any cheese you would like. Swap out the sharp cheddar cheese for different cheeses and it will become your own family favorite!
Tip: Did you know you can season your cast iron skillet with bacon grease? Keep your skillets beautifully seasoned for every meal using the discards from your breakfast. Start saving that bacon grease!
Skillet Baked Mac and Cheese
I started using a 12-inch cast iron skillet earlier this year on a whim when I didn’t have any casserole dishes in the kitchen. I was honestly being lazy, not wanting to walk down to our cold storage where we store larger kitchenware. The homemade macaroni came out amazing, and the cleanup was so much quicker! After dinner all you need to do is transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
The cast-iron skillet evenly distributes the heat throughout the pan, baking your macaroni and cheese dish even better than before. It forms delicious crispy edges, and adds in a touch of added iron to your diet!
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Ingredients
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or a mix of your favorite cheeses) Learn how to make and freeze pre-shredded cheese with a food processor for an even quicker recipe.
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cup whole milk (or table cream)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 6-8 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (optional, for topping)
How to Make This Easy Cast Iron Mac & Cheese
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook Macaroni: In a large pot of salted water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until it’s lightly golden. Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
Add Cream and Milk: Gradually pour in the heavy cream and milk, continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.
Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine with Macaroni: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet, stirring until the macaroni is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
Top with Bread Crumbs (Optional): If desired, add bread crumbs as a topping. The best way is to melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter and add enough bread crumbs until it looks like wet sand. You can add in more recipe spices to taste. Sprinkle over the creamy mac and cheese sauce.
Bake: Place the cast iron skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade mac and cheese!
Optional: Feel free to customize this recipe by adding ingredients like bacon, chopped herbs, or other spices to suit your taste preferences.
FAQ
Can you use regular milk instead of heavy cream or whipping cream?
You can, but I highly recommend using cream if you are able to. Regular milk can curdle, and won’t come out as creamy. If you need to use milk add it in slowly and constantly whisk it in.
What type of cheese is best for this recipe?
You can use any cheese you have on hand even mozzarella! We usually have sharp or old chedder on hand. When we are running low, I will add in some mozzarella.
Do I have to top the mac and cheese with bread crumbs?
No not at all! I only top half of our cast iron macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs since Oliver doesn’t like the texture of the crumbs. You can top it with crushed crackers, bacon bits, or even leave it topping free!
Can I use oil instead of butter?
I wouldn’t. The butter helps bring the flavors out. Oil will not mix well with the flour or dairy ingredients.
More Cast Iron Posts:
- Quality Kitchenware That Will Last You a Lifetime
- How to Season Cast Iron with Bacon Grease
- Easy Cast Iron Cornbread Recipe
- Cast Iron Skillet French Toast Bake
Easy Cast Iron Skillet Mac & Cheese
Equipment
- large pot, For cooking the elbow macaroni.
- Colander, To drain the cooked macaroni.
- Large Skillet or Saucepan, For making the cheese sauce and combining it with the macaroni.
- Whisk, For whisking the butter and flour to create the roux, and for stirring the sauce to prevent lumps.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons, For measuring out ingredients
- Cheese Grater, For shredding the cheese.
- Oven-Safe Skillet or Casserole Dish, To bake the mac and cheese in the oven.
Ingredients
- 4 cups elbow macaroni cooked
- 4 cups old cheese shredded
- 2 cups whole milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 6-8 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup flour all-purpose
- to taste salt & pepper
- ¼ cup bread crumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Macaroni: In a large pot of salted water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until it's lightly golden. Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Add Cream and Milk: Gradually pour in the heavy cream and milk, continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine with Macaroni: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet, stirring until the macaroni is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- Top with Bread Crumbs (Optional): If desired, add bread crumbs as a topping. The best way is to melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter and add enough bread crumbs until it looks like wet sand. You can add in more recipe spices to taste. Sprinkle over the creamy mac and cheese sauce.
- Bake: Place the cast iron skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade mac and cheese!
Notes
- Optional: Feel free to customize this recipe by adding ingredients like bacon, chopped herbs, or other spices to suit your taste preferences.