If you like mac and cheese, you are going to love brie mac and cheese.
Using brie in this delicious baked mac and cheese makes for an extremely creamy, decadent, and flavorful dish. You will never want to go back to regular mac and cheese!
If you are skeptical about using brie in a pasta dish, I get it. I’m a big fan of baked brie, but I wasn’t too sure about using it in mac and cheese. I’m certain that, like me, you will be shocked and amazed by how delicious it is!
Why You’ll Love Brie Mac and Cheese
Super Creamy Texture: Brie cheese takes baked pasta dishes to a whole new level. This is the best mac and cheese if you love ultra-creamy, rich mac and cheese.
Easy to Make: This mac and cheese takes just a few minutes to prepare; most of the cooking time is waiting for it to bake! For an extra quick meal, you can skip baking it and do a stovetop mac.
Versatile: Mac and cheese is the perfect side dish because it goes with just about everything! Use this brie mac and cheese recipe for any meal that needs a decadent side to tie it together.
Ingredients
This creamy brie mac and cheese doesn’t take a whole lot to create. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, making this an easy dish to whip up. I usually keep a wheel of brie on hand just for this recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Elbow pasta
- Brie cheese with the rind removed
- White cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Flour
- Whole milk
- Fresh garlic (garlic powder works too)
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
Variations and Substitutions
This mac and cheese recipe is delicious as is, but there are a variety of ways you can make it your own.
Change the pasta: Elbow pasta is classic, but mac and cheese is also delicious with shell pasta, cavatappi pasta, or rotini.
Substitute the cheeses: The brie is, of course, essential for this brie mac and cheese. For the rest of the cheese in the recipe, you can use any of your favorites.
Top with bread crumbs: If you love a bready top to your mac and cheese, try adding some bread crumbs mixed with butter to the top before baking it.
Add some extras: You can add all of your favorite flavors to the mac and cheese with veggies or meat baked in. Try it with sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken, or bacon.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook Your Pasta
Generously salt a large pot of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add your pasta and cook it al dente according to the package instructions. Be sure not to overcook it; the pasta will continue to soften while baking. Drain your pasta and set it aside.
Make Your Cheese Sauce
Make a roux by melting butter, sauteeing your garlic, and stirring in the flour. Lightly brown the roux by cooking it over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add your milk and cook the mixture until it begins to thicken. Stir in the cheese until it is fully melted and season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Combine
Remove your cheese sauce from the heat and combine it with your cooked pasta, stirring until the noodles are well coated.
Bake
Spoon the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish and bake in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. Broil the mac and cheese for a golden brown top. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven, then serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Main dish: This macaroni and cheese is a great main dish! You can add grilled chicken to it before baking if you want extra protein, or serve it as is. I like to pair it with a side salad, sauteed broccoli, or a nice Caprese salad.
Side dish: Mac and cheese also makes the perfect side dish to go with your favorite entree. Serve it on the side of steak, chicken, or burgers.
Use the leftovers: If you find yourself with leftovers of this mac and cheese, make them into these delicious bacon mac and cheese bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do with the leftovers?
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat them in the microwave or in the oven.
What are the best cheeses for mac and cheese?
There are a lot of different cheeses that taste great in macaroni and cheese! My biggest recommendation is to use a combination of cheeses. I like to use at least one that is sharp, like parmesan or sharp cheddar, and one that is creamier and sweeter, like cream cheese, American cheese, or mozzarella. In this recipe, we use a combination of cheddar, parmesan, and brie.
Is brie rind edible?
Yes, the rind of brie is edible and delicious! You’ll typically eat the rind when enjoying brie baked or at room temperature. For this mac and cheese, however, we will be removing the rind so that the cheese melts down into a creamy, smooth sauce.
Print
Super Creamy Brie Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 stick unsalted butter
¼ cup flour
3 cups whole milk
8-ounce wheel of brie cheese, rind removed and cubed
2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9” x 13” oven-safe dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add noodles. Cook pasta al dente according to the package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, start your creamy brie cheese sauce. Melt butter over medium heat and saute your garlic until fragrant. Add flour and whisk to combine. Continue to cook the flour mixture for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add the milk and cook until it starts to thicken, stirring regularly.
- Stir in your brie, cheddar, and parmesan cheese until they are fully melted. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cooked pasta.
- Transfer mac and cheese to the baking dish and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. If you want a crispy top, broil for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
