5.0 from 57 votes
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Homemade macaroni and cheese with ham and peas is a perfect, quick meal that is always creamy and NEVER grainy. Get creative with the add-ins and toppings!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 597 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 3 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- kosher salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup ham cubed (optional)
- 1 cup peas frozen (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if baking).
- Prepare macaroni according to directions on box, removing from the heat about 1 minute before recommended "al dente" cook time. If making GF noodles, check around 4 minutes. Drain noodles and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large, oven safe skillet or dutch oven over medium heat.
- Slowly add corn starch while stirring constantly with a whisk. Keep stirring for about 1 minute until the roux becomes bubbly.
- Add milk, a little at a time, until sauce becomes thick (you want the consistency of gravy). Add more milk if necessary. If it gets too thin, you can mix a little corn starch with some milk and add it to the mixture to thicken.
- Add dry mustard, salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cheese (reserving a little if you want to add cheese to the top as a topping).
- Add cooked macaroni to the sauce. Stir well to coat. If you are adding ingredients, stir them in now.
- To bake, add reserved cheese to the top and place in pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cheese topping becomes bubbly (see notes above). If you want a creamier mac and cheese (not baked) reduce heat and cook on stove top until noodles are cooked through. You may need to add a little milk as needed.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 3-5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Some other favorite cheeses to make up the cheese sauce:
- Gruyere
- Gouda
- Monterey jack
- White cheddar
- Colby jack
Nutrition Information
Calories
597kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Cholesterol
95mg
(32%)
Sodium
653mg
(27%)
Potassium
388mg
(11%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1030IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
529mg
(53%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 597
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 597kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 653mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 388mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1030IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 529mg | 53% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.