Here’s a classic Macaroni and Cheese recipe — creamy, cheesy, and comforting 🧀🍝
Classic Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk works best)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika or mustard powder (optional, for flavor)
- Optional topping: ½ cup breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Cook macaroni: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk, cooking until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese, salt, pepper, and optional paprika/mustard powder until smooth.
- Combine: Mix cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce.
- Optional baked version:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour macaroni & cheese into a greased baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- Extra creamy: Add ½ cup cream cheese to the sauce.
- Add-ins: Cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or sautéed vegetables.
- Cheese mix: Cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan for richer flavor.
If you want, I can also give a stovetop version in under 20 minutes that’s super quick and creamy.
