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Mac and Cheese
4.9 from 129 votes

Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is a creamy pasta dish made with elbow macaroni and a smooth cheese sauce combining cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella. The sauce is thickened with a butter and flour roux flavored with dry mustard and garlic powder, creating a rich, silky texture. Pasta water is used to adjust sauce consistency, ensuring it clings well to the noodles.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 9
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 14 oz. dry elbow macaroni
  • salt
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp butter
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 /3 milk low-fat
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard or more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 oz. cream cheese diced into small pieces
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese shredded, extra sharp
  • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded
  • water reserved pasta water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. While pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan (4 quart) or medium pot melt butter over medium heat then add flour, cook 1 minute whisking constantly.
  3. While whisking slowly pour in milk, add in mustard and garlic powder. Increase heat slightly, then bring mixture to a gentle simmer whisking constantly.
  4. Reduce heat to low add in cream cheese and whisk until melted.
  5. Remove saucepan from heat add in the shredded cheeses half at a time, and whisk to melt, while returning to warm heat as needed to melt fully.
  6. Season sauce with salt to taste.
  7. Toss pasta with cheese sauce, thin with pasta water a splash at a time as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Shred cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded to avoid grainy sauce texture.
  • If dry mustard powder is unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon prepared mustard (regular or Dijon).
  • Do not rinse pasta after cooking to retain starches that help thicken the sauce and keep it clinging to noodles.
  • For a crunchy topping, sauté panko bread crumbs in butter or olive oil until golden and sprinkle over servings just before eating.