Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 5
I love the classic Mac and Cheese. It’s simple to make with a few ingredients. The perfect Mac and Cheese with bite-size pasta, cheddar cheese, and a simple creamy sauce.
Ingredients
½ pound uncooked elbow macaroni, about 1 ½ c.
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. milk, any kind
3/4 c. half and half
2 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
How to make Mac and Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 3325 degrees. Grab a square baking dish, lightly grease, and set aside.
Step 2: Following the package directions, cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain when done and set aside.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Gradually add in the milk and half-and-half and continue to cook for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is just thick. Take the pan away from the heat, then add in a cup of shredded cheese and stir until just melted. Now, add in the cooked macaroni and toss to coat.
Step 4: Into the prepared baking dish, pour half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with half a cup of cheese, and add the rest of the pasta on top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
Step 5: Remove from the oven when done and serve the Mac and Cheese with your preferred vegetable or a side salad. Enjoy!
Tips for getting a smooth cheese sauce:
For a stronger taste and smoother texture, use high-quality aged cheddar cheese. But if you prefer a more mild and inexpensive flavour, you’ll have less flavour and almost a grittier taste.
I highly suggest using only fresh grated cheese to a smooth and even texture.
For this recipe, make sure that you are using room temperature cheese.
To ensure that the cheese melt properly and smoothly you have to remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool a bit before stirring in the cheese.
Make sure not to over-stir the sauce after the cheese has melted. Immediately add in the noodles, quickly assemble in the pan, and bake.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 559kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 693mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1023IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 540mg | Iron: 1mg
Ingredients
- ½ pound uncooked elbow macaroni, about 1 ½ c.
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 c. milk, any kind
- 3/4 c. half and half
- 2 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 3325 degrees. Grab a square baking dish, lightly grease, and set aside.
Step 2: Following the package directions, cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain when done and set aside.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Gradually add in the milk and half-and-half and continue to cook for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is just thick. Take the pan away from the heat, then add in a cup of shredded cheese and stir until just melted. Now, add in the cooked macaroni and toss to coat.
Step 4: Into the prepared baking dish, pour half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with half a cup of cheese, and add the rest of the pasta on top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
Step 5: Remove from the oven when done and serve the Mac and Cheese with your preferred vegetable or a side salad. Enjoy!
Tips for getting a smooth cheese sauce:
For a stronger taste and smoother texture, use high-quality aged cheddar cheese. But if you prefer a more mild and inexpensive flavour, you’ll have less flavour and almost a grittier taste.
I highly suggest using only fresh grated cheese to a smooth and even texture.
For this recipe, make sure that you are using room temperature cheese.
To ensure that the cheese melt properly and smoothly you have to remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool a bit before stirring in the cheese.
Make sure not to over-stir the sauce after the cheese has melted. Immediately add in the noodles, quickly assemble in the pan, and bake.
