Description
Classic mac and cheese brings comfort right to your plate with creamy cheddar and tender pasta. Cheesy goodness combines simple ingredients for a nostalgic meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups milk (any kind)
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 3 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and thoroughly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Boil macaroni in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it becomes frothy and golden.
- Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper, creating a smooth roux that develops a nutty aroma for approximately 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour milk and half and half into the roux, continuously stirring to prevent lumps and create a velvety sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring consistently until it reaches a thick, gravy-like consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in the first portion of cheese until smoothly melted and integrated.
- Gently combine the cheese sauce with cooked macaroni, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Transfer half the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with additional cheese, then layer the remaining pasta.
- Top the final layer with remaining cheese for a golden, crispy surface.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Choose elbow macaroni with ridges to help sauce cling better and create more textural interest.
- Shred cheese directly from block for smoother melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Lower oven temperature prevents cheese from becoming grainy or separating, ensuring creamy consistency.
- Experiment with cheese blends like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or monterey jack for deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 468 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg