Best Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe
User Reviews
4.9
42 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
683 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Best Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe
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This Best Simple Mac and Cheese Recipe is a cinch to whip up in 30 minutes or less, and makes for a delicious and satisfying meal for the whole family. This no bake mac and cheese packs all the same comforting flavors of traditional mac and cheese in just a few easy steps.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow pasta small
- 12 ounces shell pasta small
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 ½ cups milk see note, whole
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups cheddar cheese freshly grated, sharp
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add pasta to a pot of boiling salted water, boil til tender, then drain and rinse with cold water. Toss pasta with 2 teaspoons oil and set aside.
- In a large skillet melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in flour. Very gradually whisk in 2 cups milk until smooth and creamy. Stir in garlic powder.
- Stir in cheese until completely melted and fully incorporated. Add a little milk if needed (up to 1/2 cup) to thin the sauce if it is too thick for your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in cooked pasta and serve. Garnish with cracked black pepper and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Feeds 4 adults or 4-6 people when feeding small kids.
- The cheese: make sure to use freshly grated cheese and not pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is packaged with a coating that keeps it from sticking together in the package, but also keeps it from melting properly and will give your sauce a grainy texture.
- The milk: low fat content can give your sauce a grainy texture, I suggest a higher fat content (whole milk works great!) for a super creamy, rich sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
683kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
77g
(26%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
27g
(42%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Cholesterol
76mg
(25%)
Sodium
434mg
(18%)
Potassium
472mg
(10%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
832IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
612mg
(61%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 683 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 683kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 77g | 26% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 434mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 472mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 832IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 612mg | 61% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
42 reviews
Excellent
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