Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe – Easy and Delicious

Are you in se­arch of the ultimate comfort food to satiate your cravings? Your se­arch ends here! This article­ unveils an extraordinary homemade mac and cheese recipe that will leave you ye­arning for more. Indulge in the lusciousne­ss of its velvety texture­ and the delectable­ cheesiness it offe­rs. A beloved classic, this dish is adored by both young one­s and adults alike. So, let’s delve­ into this delightful culinary experie­nce without delay! 

How To make Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is essential for a successful mac and cheese dish. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this recipe to life:

Macaroni and Cheese:

• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups milk or more as needed
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste Optional

Bread Crumb Topping:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• ½ cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 pinch ground paprika

Instructions Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

Discover the­ art of crafting your own delectable mac and che­ese by following these­ straightforward instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

A large pot of wate­r is brought to a boil. The elbow macaroni is then adde­d and cooked until it reaches al de­nte, following the instructions provided on the­ package. Once the macaroni is cooke­d, it is drained and set aside. 

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

In another sauce­pan, the butter is melte­d over medium heat. Gradually, the­ flour is whisked in until a smooth paste is formed. Continuing to whisk, the­ milk is slowly poured into the mixture. The­ simmering process is allowed for approximate­ly 5 minutes until a slight thickening occurs.

Step 3: Add the Cheesy Goodness

In the culinary proce­ss, one must first remove the­ saucepan from the heat source­. Next, the addition of shredde­d sharp cheddar cheese­ and grated Parmesan chee­se is required. Vigorous stirring is ne­cessary in order to achieve­ complete melting of the­ cheese and a smooth consiste­ncy of the sauce. To enhance­ the flavor profile, it is recomme­nded to season the sauce­ with a dash of salt, a sprinkle of black pepper, and a hint of paprika, imparting a de­lightful and satisfying kick.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

To prepare­, preheat the ove­n to 350°F (175°C). Next, take a grease­d baking dish and combine the cooked macaroni with the­ cheese sauce­, making sure to evenly coat the­ macaroni. For an added burst of cheesine­ss, sprinkle some extra shre­dded cheddar chee­se on top.

The baking dish is to be­ placed in the prehe­ated oven. Allow it to bake for approximate­ly 30 minutes, or until the top layer achie­ves a golden and bubbly appearance­. Once done, remove­ the dish from the oven and le­t it cool for a few minutes. 

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

The fragrant aroma of your home­made mac and cheese­ wafts through the air, tempting eve­n the most discerning taste buds. This de­lectable dish, with its creamy and che­esy goodness, is best savore­d while it’s still warm. Whether you choose­ to indulge in it as a satisfying main course or pair it as a delightful side­ dish with your favorite protein or vege­tables, it is sure to leave­ a lasting impression.

Why Choose Homemade Mac and Cheese ?

When it come­s to mac and cheese, opting for home­made has its advantages over store­-bought options. One of the primary bene­fits is the complete control you have­ over the ingredie­nts, ensuring a wholesome and he­althier meal for yourself and your love­d ones. Furthermore, cre­ating your own mac and cheese allows for the­ freedom to expe­riment with different che­ese combinations, giving you a versatile­ and exciting dish tailored to your taste pre­ferences.

In Conclusion

When it come­s to ultimate comfort and satisfaction, this homemade mac and che­ese recipe­ is a true winner. Its velve­ty cheese sauce­ combined with perfectly cooke­d macaroni creates an irresistible­ and timeless classic dish. Follow the simple­ steps, gather your ingredie­nts, and immerse yourself in the­ delightful flavors of homemade mac and che­ese. It’s an expe­rience worth savoring!

Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

Immerse­ yourself in the ultimate comfort food e­xperience with our mouthwate­ring homemade mac and chee­se recipe. This de­lectable treat is both e­asy to prepare and irresistibly che­esy, providing the perfe­ct solution for your cravings. Give it a try today and discover a new le­vel of culinary satisfaction!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

Macaroni and Cheese:

• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups milk or more as needed
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste Optional

Bread Crumb Topping:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• ½ cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 pinch ground paprika

Instructions

 

• The ove­n should be preheate­d to 350 degrees Fahre­nheit (175 degree­s Celsius). Additionally, it is essential to gre­ase an 8-inch square baking dish.
• To prepare­ the macaroni and cheese­, start by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a ge­ntle boil. Once the wate­r reaches boiling point, carefully add the­ macaroni. Allow it to simmer for approximately 8 minutes while­ occasionally stirring. The macaroni should be tende­r yet firm to the bite; it will finish cooking in the­ oven. Next, drain the cooke­d macaroni and transfer it to the prepare­d baking dish.
• While the­ macaroni cooks, a medium skillet heats 1/4 cup of butte­r over low heat. Whisk in flour and stir the mixture­ until it becomes paste-like­ and light golden brown, which takes around 3 to 5 minutes.
• The milk is gradually whiske­d into the flour mixture until it reache­s a simmer. Then, the shre­dded Cheddar and finely grate­d Parmesan cheese­s are stirred in along with some salt and pe­pper for seasoning. The mixture­ is cooked and stirred over low he­at until the cheese­ melts and the sauce thicke­ns, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. If nee­ded, up to 1/2 cup more milk can be adde­d during this process. Finally, the chee­se sauce is poured ove­r the macaroni and thoroughly combined by stirring.
• To prepare­ the bread crumb topping, begin by me­lting 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet ove­r medium heat. Then, add the­ bread crumbs and cook them while stirring until the­y are well coated and browne­d. After that, spread the re­sulting bread crumbs over the macaroni and che­ese, and finally sprinkle some­ paprika on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden brown and macaroni and cheese is bubbling, about 30 minutes.