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Easy Homemade Mac & Cheese Recipe

4.5 from 141 reviews

This easy homemade mac & cheese recipe offers a creamy, cheesy comfort dish made from scratch with simple ingredients. Perfectly cooked macaroni noodles are combined with a rich cheddar cheese sauce, thickened with a milk and flour mixture, and enhanced by butter, resulting in a velvety texture and classic flavor that satisfies any craving for a quick and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni

  • 8 oz. macaroni noodles (about 1 and 3/4 cups)

Sauce

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, cut into 8 pieces
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni: Boil the macaroni noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the noodles and return them to the pot they were cooked in to prepare for the sauce.
  2. Prepare milk mixture: While the macaroni cooks, combine 2 cups of milk and 1/4 cup of flour in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until the flour is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
  3. Add milk mixture to pasta: Give the milk and flour mixture a final shake to ensure smoothness, then pour it into the pot containing the drained macaroni.
  4. Cook sauce: Place the pot over medium heat and stir continuously. Cook the mixture until the sauce thickens and just reaches a simmer. Once thickened, promptly remove the pot from the heat to prevent overcooking.
  5. Add butter and cheese: Stir in the butter pieces until melted and well incorporated. Then add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and mix until fully melted and combined, creating a creamy cheese sauce coating the macaroni.
  6. Season and serve: Taste the mac and cheese and add salt and pepper to your preference. Mix well and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best rich, tangy flavor.
  • Ensure continuous stirring when cooking the sauce to avoid lumps.
  • You can use whole or 2% milk depending on desired creaminess.
  • To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour alternative.
  • For extra creaminess, add a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream at the end.

Keywords: homemade mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, classic comfort food, cheddar mac and cheese