Description
Creamy and cheesy, this ultimate mac and cheese is the perfect comfort food that brings back fond memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Smoked paprika (optional)
- Cooked chicken, turkey bacon, or veggies (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for about 2 minutes.
- Add the milk to the roux, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles gently (5-7 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low and add the shredded cheese, stirring until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and mustard powder.
- Drain the pasta and combine it with the cheese sauce.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer to a greased baking dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using whole grain or lentil pasta and low-fat cheese. You can also add vegetables for a nutritional boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg