Sheet Pan Mac Cheese (Printable)

Creamy baked mac with roasted Brussels sprouts made on one sheet pan for ease and flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 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)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or grease lightly.
02 - Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Arrange on one half of the sheet pan.
03 - Roast Brussels sprouts in oven for 12 minutes while preparing pasta and sauce.
04 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente, 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
05 - Melt butter over medium heat in saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream until smooth. Simmer gently, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
07 - Mix drained macaroni with cheese sauce. Remove sheet pan from oven and spread mac and cheese over the unoccupied half, nestling alongside Brussels sprouts.
08 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni mixture.
09 - Return sheet pan to oven and bake 15–18 minutes until topping is golden and Brussels sprouts are crisp-tender.
10 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Simple sheet pan cooking makes cleanup fast.
  • Combines creamy mac and cheese with roasted veggies for a satisfying meal.
02 -
  • This recipe contains gluten and dairy, so check labels if you have allergens.
  • Topping adds crunch but you can skip it for a softer texture.
03 -
  • Roast Brussels sprouts cut side down for extra crispness.
  • Try adding a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick in the cheese sauce.
Go Back