Mac and Cheese Recipe
This creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe delivers rich flavor, smooth cheese sauce, and perfect pasta in just 30 minutes. It’s easy, comforting, and tastes better than any boxed version.
Print Pin Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 520kcal
Cost: $8
Equipment
- 1 Large pot Used to boil pasta and make the cheese sauce in the same pot.
- 1 Whisk Essential for making a smooth roux and cheese sauce without lumps.
- 1 Wooden spoon For stirring the pasta and combining everything gently.
- 1 set Measuring cups For accurately measuring milk, cream, flour, and cheese.
- 1 Cheese grater Use for freshly grating cheddar for better melting and flavor.
- 1 Colander Needed to drain pasta after boiling.
- 1 Baking dish If baking the mac and cheese; a 9x13 glass or ceramic dish is ideal.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or preferred pasta shape
- 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
- 2 tablespoon butter tossed with cooked pasta
For the Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups whole milk room temperature
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 4 oz mild cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- cayenne pepper pinch, optional
For Baked Topping (Optional)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- 0.5 cup shredded cheddar for topping
Instructions
- Boil macaroni until al dente; drain and toss with butter.
- Melt butter in pot, whisk in flour; cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream; cook until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and grated cheddar; season.
- Mix pasta into cheese sauce and serve OR bake with topping at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nutrition
Serving: 520g | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 1.5mg