5.0 from 519 votes
Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
This is the cheesiest, CREAMIEST best homemade mac and cheese recipe you'll ever make! The whole family will definitely approve!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 292 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- pepper, to taste
- 4 cups milk
- 6 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make ahead of time. Prepare the mac and cheese as directed above, but do not add the buttered breadcrumbs. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Before baking, make breadcrumbs, sprinkle on top, and bake per recipe directions.
- Slow cooker directions. Follow Steps 2 and 3, then pour hot pasta into a greased slow cooker. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pasta, followed by thickened cream sauce, and stir together. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Make breadcrumbs as directed in Step 4 and pour over macaroni. Let warm for 5 minutes before serving.
- Variations. Change up the cheese for extra flavor. A popular blend is equal parts mozzarella, cheddar, and American. Other cheeses that are good to use in mac and cheese include Parmesan, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Gruyère, Colby Jack, and Gorgonzola.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
292kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.4g
Cholesterol
50mg
(17%)
Sodium
1245mg
(52%)
Potassium
207mg
(6%)
Fiber
0.3g
(1%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
582IU
(12%)
Calcium
411mg
(41%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292
% 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.