Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese doesn’t need much introduction.

It’s one of those meals that works for kids, adults, busy nights, holidays, and pretty much any situation where a bowl of warm, cheesy pasta sounds like a good idea.

This version uses a simple cheese sauce and doesn’t require anything complicated.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Extra cheese for the top
• A pinch of paprika

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the macaroni until just tender.

Don’t take it too far because it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.

Drain and set aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add the flour and whisk constantly for about a minute.

This creates the base for the sauce.

Slowly pour in the milk while whisking.

Keep stirring until the mixture begins to thicken.

Reduce the heat.

Add the cheddar and Monterey Jack a little at a time, stirring until melted.

Add the garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Add the Pasta

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce.

Stir until every piece is coated.

At this point, you can serve it immediately.

Or you can take it one step further.

Make It Baked

Pour the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish.

Sprinkle the top with extra cheese.

If you like a crunchy topping, mix breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and sprinkle them over the top.

Bake until hot and bubbling and the top is lightly browned.

What Cheese Works Best?

Cheddar is the classic.

But mixing cheeses can make the sauce even better.

Good choices include:

• Monterey Jack
• Colby
• Gruyère
• Mozzarella
• Gouda

Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese because some packaged shredded cheeses contain ingredients that prevent clumping.

How to Keep Mac and Cheese Creamy

Don’t overcook the sauce.

Don’t boil it aggressively after adding the cheese.

And don’t add all the cheese at once over very high heat.

Gentle heat is your friend here.

If the finished sauce seems too thick, add a small splash of warm milk.

Easy Additions

You can turn basic mac and cheese into a completely different meal.

Add cooked bacon.

Add shredded chicken.

Mix in broccoli.

Add pulled pork.

Stir in cooked ground beef.

Or add some hot sauce for a little kick.

Budget-Friendly Tip

Cheese can get expensive, especially when you’re buying several varieties.

You don’t need to.

A good sharp cheddar can carry this recipe on its own.

Buy a larger block when it’s on sale and shred what you need.

The Kind of Dinner People Ask You to Make Again

There’s a reason mac and cheese has survived every food trend imaginable.

It’s simple.

It’s comforting.

And when the cheese sauce is smooth and the pasta is perfectly cooked, there’s really not much else you need.