4.9 from 88 votes
Easy Macaroni And Cheese
Easy Macaroni and Cheese is a classic pasta dish featuring al dente elbow macaroni combined with a creamy cheese sauce made from butter, cream cheese, flour, milk, and shredded cheddar. The sauce has a smooth, rich texture balanced with salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce or mustard powder for subtle flavor depth.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 elbow macaroni 8 ounce box
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 oz cream cheese cut in cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, or colby jack
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- hot sauce optional splash of hot sauce or tsp of mustard powder
- mustard powder optional splash of hot sauce or tsp of mustard powder
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally, and cooking according to package directions. I prefer to cook mine al dente and not overcook.
- Meanwhile in a separate pan, melt butter in a medium to large sauce pan over medium heat; stir in cream cheese until well combined. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into pan while stirring until mixture is smooth and starting to gently boil, about 3-5 minutes. Add cheese to mixture and stir until cheese is melted and well combined.
- Pour cheese sauce over drained macaroni and stir gently until cheese sauce is well combined with pasta. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded for smoother melting and better flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese types to modify the taste according to preference.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when combined with the cheese sauce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
340kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
51mg
(17%)
Sodium
422mg
(18%)
Potassium
189mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
560IU
(11%)
Calcium
226mg
(23%)
Iron
0.8mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 340kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 51mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 422mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 189mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 560IU | 11% |
| Calcium | 226mg | 23% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.