Baked Mac and Cheese for the Holidays: How to Get Creamy, Cheesy Results Without the Homemade Effort

Mac & Cheese earns holiday-table space for a simple reason: people agree on it. Campbell’s 2026 State of the Sides Report found that 57% of Americans call Mac & Cheese the dish everyone at the table can agree on. Nearly half, 46%, cite easy preparation as a reason they choose it for the holiday. For a cook managing several dishes at once, that combination of crowd appeal and less hands-on work matters.

What Makes a Good Holiday Mac & Cheese?

Holiday Mac & Cheese should bring the creamy texture and rich cheese flavor people expect without turning one side dish into an all-afternoon project. Campbell’s Creamy Double Cheddar Mac & Cheese is built for that job: seven ingredients, five minutes of prep and 30 minutes total to make, with a baked panko-and-Cheddar topping for a golden finish.

Why Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese Soup Works in Mac & Cheese

For creamy, cheesy Mac & Cheese, there’s only Campbell’s. Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup is crafted with real cheese and gives the recipe a creamy base before shredded white Cheddar is added. That means the cook can build a rich, oven-baked dish without starting with a roux.

A Holiday Side with Built-In Crowd Appeal

The current Campbell’s recipe serves eight, making it suited to the larger table that comes with holiday gatherings. The State of the Sides Report also points to why Mac & Cheese fits the moment: 44% of Americans say they want more creaminess on their Thanksgiving table and 41% want more cheesiness. Mac & Cheese also ranks among the five sides that have remained in America’s top five lineup over the past three years.

Want One Less Pot? There Is a No-Boil Option

If stovetop space is the bigger problem, Campbell’s No-Boil Cheddar Mac & Cheese takes a different route. Uncooked elbow macaroni goes straight into the baking dish with Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, milk, shredded Cheddar and black pepper. The recipe requires five minutes of hands-on prep, 50 minutes total to make, and serves six, eliminating the separate step of boiling and draining pasta.

How to Choose Between the Two Campbell’s Mac & Cheese Recipes

Choose Creamy Double Cheddar Mac & Cheese when speed and serving a larger group matter most. It is done in 30 minutes and serves eight. Choose No-Boil Cheddar Mac & Cheese when eliminating the separate pasta pot is more valuable. It takes longer in the oven, but the pasta is cooked in the baking dish.

Either way, Campbell’s makes it easier to bring creamy, cheesy comfort to the holiday table, with less effort tied up in one side dish leaving more time to enjoy the holiday’s special moments.