Description
Savor the rich and creamy delight of homemade mac and cheese, the quintessential comfort food that warms both heart and soul. This beloved dish features perfectly cooked elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety cheese sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs for that irresistible crunch. Ideal for cozy nights or festive gatherings, this recipe is easy to customize—add bacon, veggies, or your favorite cheeses to make it your own. In just a few simple steps, you’ll create a dish that brings joy to every table. Get ready to dig into a bowl of cheesy goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Roux: Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth, cooking for about one minute.
- Create Cheese Sauce: Gradually whisk in whole milk until thickened (about five minutes). Stir in shredded cheddar until melted; season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Bake (Optional): Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup - 240g
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg