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5.0 from 42 votes

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

The Best Macaroni and Cheese is so cheesy with three types of cheese! How to make homemade mac n cheese at home. Tips and tricks for making creamy macaroni and cheese.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow pasta
  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 4 cups Half-n-Half
  • 1 lb. medium cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces (1/2 lb.) sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 to 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
  • 2 ounces Cream Cheese (or American Cheese)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Mustard Powder, Paprika
Topping:
  • 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese or Colby Jack (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Fill a large pot with water and heat over high heat until boiling. Generously salt the water. Once the water is boiling, cook the elbow pasta according to package instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Start by using a large skillet or pot and place over medium low heat. Add butter and let melt and then add flour and stir together. Add garlic and stir and add half-n-half. Have the half-n-half ready to go so the garlic doesn't burn.
  3. Let the mixture begin to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Start to add the freshly grated cheese, 1/2 cup at a time. Use a whisk to stir well and allow the cheese to fully melt before adding more cheese. Repeat until all the cheese is added. Let it start to thicken.
  5. Add salt, pepper, and spices.
  6. Drain pasta and pour into pot and fold the cheese sauce into the pasta. Taste for seasonings.
  7. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with 8 ounces of grated cheese and sprinkle with parsley.
  8. If you want to just melt the top cheese and keep it very creamy, just set the oven to broil and place the baking dish onto the top rack. Let it cook on broil for about 3-6 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. *This mac n cheese will be very creamy.If you want a firmer mac n cheese, you can bake it at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. You can place it under the broil for several minutes to toast the cheese.

Notes

  • I strongly suggest FRESHLY GRATING CHEESE from a block and not using pre-packaged shredded cheese. The bagged shredded cheese has a coating on it to keep it from sticking together and it makes it more difficult to melt.
  • This creamy macaroni and cheese recipe calls for cream cheese, which helps to create a creamy, smooth texture. You can swap it out for American cheese, as it helps to keep the sauce extra creamy. It melts so beautifully that it creates a silky smooth cheese sauce.
  • I like to buy my American cheese from the deli. Boar's Head makes the best American cheese.
  • Macaroni and cheese is known for seizing up and curdling when it is refrigerated or comes to room temperature. The pasta absorbs the water in the sauce and it changes the texture of the cheese sauce. 
  • To reheat it, add a little bit of milk to the macaroni and cheese and heat it as normal.