5.0 from 60 votes
No-Recipe Macaroni and Cheese
No recipe macaroni and cheese ~ the easy secrets to perfect creamy mac & cheese, no recipe required!
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 627 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk (I use whole)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheese (I use cheddar)
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to just al dente in plenty of boiling salted water, and drain. Note: I always cook the pasta a minute or two less than package instructions because I want to maintain a firm texture in the finished mac and cheese dish.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a heavy bottomed pot large enough to hold the batch of mac and cheese. Add the flour and stir for just a minute or so. Don't let it brown.
- Slowly pour in the milk, while whisking or stirring constantly. I switch from my whisk to a silicone 'spoonula' to make sure I'm getting the mixture smooth and lump free. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it is thickened. This will be just about the point when it begins to come to a simmer. Don't let it come to a boil. Take the pan off the heat.
- Slowly sprinkle in the cheese while stirring, until it melts completely. Season with salt and plenty of fresh pepper to your taste. Fold in the macaroni and serve asap.
- As an alternative you can spoon the mac and cheese into a buttered baking dish and bake at 325F for 15 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
627kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
62g
(21%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
86mg
(29%)
Sodium
1047mg
(44%)
Potassium
388mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
939IU
(19%)
Calcium
567mg
(57%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 627
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 627kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 86mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 1047mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 388mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 939IU | 19% |
| Calcium | 567mg | 57% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.