Sheet Pan Mac Cheese (Printable)

Baked elbow macaroni with crispy Brussels sprouts and a creamy cheese sauce, all on one sheet pan.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 12 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
11 - 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Topping

16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1 tbsp melted butter
19 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on half of the sheet pan and roast for 12 minutes.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking until smooth. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
06 - Mix drained macaroni with cheese sauce. Remove sheet pan from oven and spread mac and cheese over the other half alongside roasted Brussels sprouts.
07 - In a small bowl, mix panko, Parmesan, and melted butter. Sprinkle over macaroni. Return pan to oven and bake 15–18 minutes until topping is golden and Brussels sprouts are crisp-tender.
08 - Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy sheet pan method means simple cleanup
  • Vegetarian and packed with flavor from two cheeses
02 -
  • This dish contains gluten, dairy, and mustard, so check ingredient labels if sensitive to allergens
  • You can swap Gruyère for other cheeses, or add bacon for a non-vegetarian version
03 -
  • Add a pinch of cayenne to the cheese sauce for a gentle kick
  • Roast Brussels sprouts cut-side down for extra crispiness
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