Baked Mac and Cheese: The Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dish Everyone Asks For
Looking for an easy baked mac and cheese you can make ahead for Thanksgiving dinner? This is the one: tender macaroni in a silky cheddar and gruyère sauce, finished with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb crust. It is the side dish people go back to for seconds, and it is just as good at a potluck or a cozy Sunday dinner.
Why Baked Mac and Cheese Belongs on the Thanksgiving Table
Macaroni and cheese has been baked in American kitchens since the 1700s, and Thomas Jefferson is often credited with helping popularize it. Today it is a holiday classic across the country: creamy in the middle, crisp on top and easy to share with a crowd. Because it can be assembled ahead of time, it frees up your oven and your attention on the big day.
The Secret to a Silky Cheese Sauce
Great baked mac and cheese starts with the sauce. Grate your own cheese instead of using the pre-shredded kind, which contains anti-caking agents that keep it from melting smoothly. Add the cheese off the heat and do not let the sauce boil afterwards, and it stays creamy even after baking. A combination of a sharp cheddar for flavor and a nutty gruyère for depth makes the sauce taste like it came from a restaurant kitchen.
Make It Ahead, Store It, Serve It
You can assemble the dish a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge and bake it when it is time. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of milk, and the dish freezes well too. Serve it next to roast turkey, glazed ham, green beans or a crisp autumn salad.
Get the Full Printable Recipe Card
Our Baked Mac and Cheese recipe card comes as an instant PDF download in English, Spanish and French, with a photo for every step, make-ahead and storage tips, and easy substitutions. Print it on US Letter paper, keep it in your kitchen binder and make it your go-to holiday side dish.
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