Here’s a creamy, classic macaroni and cheese recipe 🧀🍝 — comfort food at its finest.
Classic Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional for extra gooeyness)
- 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika or mustard powder (optional, for flavor)
Optional Topping
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook pasta
Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Make cheese sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour to make a roux; cook 1–2 min.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add cheese, salt, pepper, and optional spices. Stir until melted.
- Combine
Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed. - Optional baked version
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour mac and cheese into a greased baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 20–25 min until golden and bubbly.
- Serve hot
Variations
- Extra creamy: Add cream cheese or heavy cream to the sauce
- Spicy: Mix in jalapeños, cayenne, or hot sauce
- Loaded: Add cooked bacon, ham, or caramelized onions
- Gourmet: Swap cheddar for Gruyère, Fontina, or smoked cheese
I can also give a super-easy one-pot stovetop version that’s ready in 15 minutes if you want it faster.
Do you want me to do that?
