Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
10
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Calories
292 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Description
This mac and cheese recipe begins by boiling elbow macaroni to tender, then preparing a milk-based cheese sauce thickened with a roux of butter and flour seasoned with garlic salt and pepper. Shredded sharp cheddar is combined with the cooked pasta and poured into a baking dish. After the cheese melts into the pasta, it is topped with breadcrumbs cooked in butter until golden brown, adding a crunchy texture contrast.
Baking this assembly consolidates the flavors and creates a warm, cohesive dish with a creamy interior and crisp topping. Variations include changing the cheese blend for different tastes or using a slow cooker method to cook and meld ingredients gently.
Preparation can be done ahead by assembling and refrigerating without the breadcrumb topping, which is added just before baking. The recipe provides flexibility for reheating and variations in cheese types to suit preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons butter divided, salted
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- black pepper to taste
- 4 cups milk
- 6 cups cheddar cheese shredded sharp
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Boil pasta according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt ½ cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper. Slowly pour in milk, whisking until smooth. Heat to a low boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Drain pasta and transfer to a lightly greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pasta. Pour thickened cream sauce over pasta and cheese. Let sit until the cheese has melted, then stir together.
- Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 3–5 minutes. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the mac and cheese up to 24 hours ahead; add buttered breadcrumbs just before baking.
- Use a slow cooker by combining cooked pasta, cheese, and sauce, cooking on low for 2 hours before adding breadcrumbs and warming an additional 5 minutes.
- Variations include blending cheeses like mozzarella, American, Parmesan, Gruyère, or others to adjust flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 292kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 1245mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 207mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 582IU | 12% |
| Calcium | 411mg | 41% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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