Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese made with bite-size pasta, cheddar cheese, and a simple creamy sauce all baked to perfection in the oven. This recipe includes tips, tricks, and photos for making PERFECT baked mac and cheese.
This mac and cheese recipe has many similarities to another of my favorites; One Pan Baked Ziti. They are both creamy, and dreamy, comfort food that gets baked to cheesy, bubbly perfection in the oven.
Mac and Cheese:
Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese with a simple, creamy cheese sauce, baked to perfection in the oven.
Prep: 15min
Total: 30min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 559 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 33 g, Saturated Fat 20 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Sodium 693 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- ½ lb uncooked elbow macaroni (, about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cup milk (, any kind)
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (*)
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and lightly grease a square baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk and half and half, stirring constantly, and cook over medium-low heat for a few minutes until the mixture is just barely thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese, stirring just until melted.
- Add the cooked macaroni noodles and toss to coat. Pour half or the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Add remaining pasta and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted on top.
- Serve with your favorite vegetable or a side salad.
Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is made with 6 ingredients in 15 minutes on the stovetop (no baking required)! Time to ditch the boxed mac and cheese for this irresistibly creamy, smooth & cheesy homemade recipe!
Prep: 5min
Total: 15min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 0.5 cup
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 0.5 cup, calories 271.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 25.3 g, Protein 12.3 g, Fat 13.8 g, Saturated Fat 8.5 g, Cholesterol 41.7 mg, Sodium 351 mg, Fiber 1.1 g, Sugar 2.6 g, unSaturated Fat 3.9 g
Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 TBS butter
- 2 TBS all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder ((optional but recommended))
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instruction:
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- {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Make the cheese sauce:’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Mix flour, sea salt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.’, ‘name’: ‘Mix flour, sea salt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.’, ‘name’: ‘In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add flour mixture and whisk to combine.’, ‘name’: ‘Add flour mixture and whisk to combine.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-2’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Cook for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown.’, ‘name’: ‘Cook for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-3’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add 1 cup milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.’, ‘name’: ‘Add 1 cup milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-4’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whisk until smooth.’, ‘name’: ‘Add sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whisk until smooth.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-5’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Cook on medium-high heat until the mixture is thickened (about 3-5 minutes). Do not let it boil.’, ‘name’: ‘Cook on medium-high heat until the mixture is thickened (about 3-5 minutes). Do not let it boil.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-6’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Once mixture is thick (sticks to the back of the spatula), reduce heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Taste and add more salt/seasoning if desired.’, ‘name’: ‘Once mixture is thick (sticks to the back of the spatula), reduce heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Taste and add more salt/seasoning if desired.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-7’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add cooked pasta to the pot of cheese sauce and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed.’, ‘name’: ‘Add cooked pasta to the pot of cheese sauce and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed.’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-8’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Let the mac and cheese cool for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese sauce has thickened a little bit and sticks to the noodles. u2028Serve warm!’, ‘name’: ‘Let the mac and cheese cool for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese sauce has thickened a little bit and sticks to the noodles. u2028Serve warm!’, ‘url’: ‘https://joyfoodsunshine.com/homemade-mac-and-cheese/#wprm-recipe-15774-step-1-9’}]}