If you are searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that elevates classic mac and cheese to a whole new level, this Baked Mac and Cheese with Cheez-It Crust Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly rich on the inside, it surprises your taste buds with a delightful, crunchy Cheez-It cracker topping that adds an irresistible texture and flavor burst. Whether you’re making it for family dinners, potlucks, or simply because you deserve a little cheesy indulgence, this recipe hits all the right notes with an easy-to-follow process and a result everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to nailing this dish. Each component is carefully chosen, not just for its flavor but also for how it contributes to the creamy, gooey texture and the vibrant golden crust that makes this recipe so special.
- 16 ounces uncooked macaroni noodles: The perfect classic pasta shape that holds sauce and balances the dish.
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded): Adds bold, tangy flavor and creaminess to the sauce.
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese (shredded): Provides a nutty, mellow richness that complements the cheddar.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (divided): Essential for creating the roux and adding a luxurious mouthfeel.
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or 2 tablespoons cornstarch): Thickens the sauce so it’s perfectly creamy and coats every noodle.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt: Enhances overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just enough warmth and depth.
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder: Offers a subtle tang that brightens the cheesy sauce.
- 3-4 dashes hot sauce (or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper): Brings a gentle kick that cuts through the richness.
- 3 cups half and half (or whole milk): Creates a silky base that turns the cheese into a velvety sauce.
- 2 cups Cheez-It crackers: Crushed to form a golden, crunchy topping that’s the star of this recipe.
How to Make Baked Mac and Cheese with Cheez-It Crust Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Macaroni
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, which ensures the perfect temperature for even baking. Then, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your macaroni noodles until just tender, following the package directions. Drain and set these aside, ready to be enveloped in that delicious cheese sauce.
Step 2: Get Your Cheese Ready
While your noodles cook, shred both the sharp cheddar and Swiss cheeses. Freshly shredded cheese melts much better and blends into the sauce smoothly, creating that luscious, gooey texture you’re aiming for.
Step 3: Make the Roux for the Sauce
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, which will thicken your sauce beautifully. Season this with salt, pepper, mustard powder, and hot sauce. Cooking the spices for 1-2 minutes unlocks their full flavor potential, making your cheese sauce anything but ordinary.
Step 4: Add Dairy and Cheese
Reduce the heat and slowly whisk in the half and half, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring this to a gentle boil—tiptoe here to keep things smooth and creamy. Now stir in 2 cups of cheddar (saving some for later) and all the Swiss cheese, patiently mixing until the sauce turns silky and the cheese melts into a perfect cheesy blanket.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce
Remove your pot from the heat and fold in the drained macaroni noodles carefully, ensuring every noodle is luxuriously coated. Transfer everything into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish — this is where the magic truly comes together.
Step 6: Prepare the Cheez-It Crust
Pour the Cheez-It crackers into a large zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form, or pulse them gently in a food processor. In a separate bowl, melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter, then stir it into the cracker crumbs along with the reserved cheddar cheese. This combination will give you that addictive crunchy topping you’re craving.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Sprinkle the Cheez-It crumb mixture evenly over your mac and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, allowing the topping to crisp up and the filling to bubble irresistibly. For an extra golden, crunchy crust, switch your oven to broil on high for the last 2 minutes — but keep a close eye on it so nothing burns!
How to Serve Baked Mac and Cheese with Cheez-It Crust Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives on top adds a refreshing pop of color and a subtle herbaceous note that complements the richness beautifully. A light dusting of smoked paprika also works wonderfully to introduce a smoky depth.
Side Dishes
This baked mac and cheese pairs excellently with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables, or even some tangy coleslaw to balance the indulgence. For heartier meals, it’s a perfect partner to barbecue ribs or grilled chicken, making every bite a celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, consider serving individual portions in small ramekins topped with the Cheez-It crust for a charming, personal touch. You can also add mix-ins like cooked bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms, or steamed broccoli before baking to customize it to your liking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it easy to enjoy this comfort food again with minimal effort.
Freezing
You can freeze this baked mac and cheese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before sealing and freezing to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 20 minutes, to keep the sauce creamy and the topping somewhat crisp. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works, though the crust may lose some crunch.
FAQs
Can I use different cheeses in this recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar and Swiss create a wonderful balance of flavor, you can experiment with Gruyère, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for different tastes and textures.
What if I don’t have Cheez-It crackers?
If you can’t find Cheez-Its, crushed Ritz crackers or buttery breadcrumbs make a great substitute, though you’ll miss some of the bold cheese flavor unique to Cheez-Its.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?
This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly, as it contains no meat. Just be sure your cheese is made without animal rennet if you want to keep it fully vegetarian.
Can I prepare this dish gluten-free?
You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta and crackers to make the dish completely gluten-free without sacrificing taste.
How spicy is the hot sauce in the recipe?
The hot sauce or cayenne adds a subtle warmth that enhances the cheesy flavor without overwhelming it. You can adjust the amount based on your preference for spice.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Mac and Cheese with Cheez-It Crust Recipe is a delightful twist on a beloved classic, marrying creamy cheese sauce with a satisfyingly crunchy topping that will make your family and friends ask for seconds. It’s the kind of dish that brings comfort and joy with every bite, so don’t hesitate to try it out and make it a staple in your home cooking repertoire.
Print
Baked Mac and Cheese with Cheez-It Crust Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Mac and Cheese with a Cheez-It crust is a creamy, cheesy comfort food with a crunchy, salty topping. Featuring a blend of sharp cheddar and Swiss cheeses in a seasoned roux-based sauce poured over tender macaroni, then baked to bubbly perfection with a unique Cheez-It crust, this dish elevates classic mac and cheese into an irresistible crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces uncooked macaroni noodles
Cheese Sauce
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded, divided into about 2 ¼ cups, reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese (shredded, about 2 ¼ cups)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (divided into ¼ cup for sauce and ¼ cup for topping)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or 2 tablespoons cornstarch as substitute)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 3–4 dashes hot sauce (or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper as alternative)
- 3 cups half and half (or whole milk)
Topping
- 2 cups Cheez-It crackers (crushed)
- Remaining ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the mac and cheese later.
- Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over the stove. Add the macaroni noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Shred Cheese: While the noodles are cooking, shred both the sharp cheddar and Swiss cheese, setting aside the reserved ¼ cup cheddar for the topping.
- Make Roux: Heat a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat on the stove. Add ¼ cup unsalted butter and melt completely. Stir in ¼ cup all-purpose flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth roux. Season with 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, and 3-4 dashes of hot sauce or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Add Milk: Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the 3 cups half and half while whisking constantly to combine with the roux. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to thicken the sauce.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (reserving ¼ cup) and all the Swiss cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts smoothly into a creamy sauce. Remove from heat.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni noodles into the cheese sauce, folding gently to ensure noodles are coated evenly. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Prepare Crust: Crush 2 cups of Cheez-It crackers either by placing them in a large zipper bag and rolling with a rolling pin, or by pulsing in a food processor until coarse crumbs form.
- Mix Topping: In a medium bowl, melt the remaining ¼ cup unsalted butter. Combine the melted butter with the crushed Cheez-Its and the reserved ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top Mac and Cheese: Sprinkle the Cheez-It crust mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Optional Broil: For an extra crispy crust, switch your oven setting to broil on high for the last 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Notes
- You can substitute whole milk for half and half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less creamy.
- If unavailable, cornstarch can replace all-purpose flour in the roux, using 2 tablespoons instead of ¼ cup.
- Adjust the hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
- Be careful during the broil step, as the crust can burn quickly.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour substitute for the roux.
- Cheez-It crackers add a distinctive cheesy crunch, but panko breadcrumbs can be used if desired.
