Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Mac and cheese is a comforting classic that’s creamy, cheesy, and perfectly satisfying. This homemade version combines a rich cheese sauce with a crunchy breadcrumb topping for a deliciously indulgent meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon salt (plus more for pasta water)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups shredded mild melting cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for breadcrumbs)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
3. Step 3: Add the macaroni and cook until just tender, then drain without rinsing.
4. Step 4: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
5. Step 5: Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute until smooth and pale.
6. Step 6: Slowly whisk in the milk, keeping the heat steady and stirring constantly.
7. Step 7: Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
8. Step 8: Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and smoked paprika.
9. Step 9: Reduce the heat to low and add the mild cheese in handfuls, stirring until fully melted.
10. Step 10: Stir in the sharp cheese and continue stirring until the sauce is smooth.
11. Step 11: Add the lemon juice and gently stir to brighten the flavor.
12. Step 12: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
13. Step 13: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
14. Step 14: Melt one tablespoon butter in a small pan over medium heat.
15. Step 15: Add the breadcrumbs and toast until golden and crisp.
16. Step 16: Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.
17. Step 17: Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling at the edges and lightly golden on top.
18. Step 18: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses you enjoy; sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Fontina work wonderfully.
• For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce.
• Swap smoked paprika for regular paprika or a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.
• Add cooked bacon or sautéed onions for more depth of flavor.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy topping.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the crispy topping. Avoid microwaving to keep the topping from getting soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the mac and cheese through step 13, cover it, and refrigerate before baking. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes if baked cold.

What type of cheese works best for mac and cheese?

A combination of mild melting cheeses and sharp cheeses provides the best balance of creaminess and flavor. Cheddar is classic, but mixing in cheeses like Gruyère, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack can elevate the dish.

Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 139 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This homemade mac and cheese recipe features creamy, cheesy sauce made with a blend of mild and sharp cheeses, enveloping perfectly cooked elbow macaroni. Topped with buttery toasted breadcrumbs and baked to a golden bubbly perfection, it’s a comforting classic that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Macaroni and Cheese

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon salt (plus more for pasta water)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups shredded mild melting cheese (such as mild cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheese (such as sharp cheddar)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Breadcrumb Topping

• ¾ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prepare for baking the mac and cheese.
2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Salt it generously to season the pasta. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just tender, then drain it without rinsing to preserve the starch that helps the sauce adhere.
3. Make the roux: In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and pale, forming a roux which will thicken the sauce.
4. Add the milk: Slowly whisk in 3 cups of whole milk, maintaining steady heat and stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
5. Season the sauce: Add salt, freshly cracked black pepper, mustard powder, and smoked paprika to the sauce, stirring to combine all the flavors perfectly.
6. Melt the cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Add the mild melting cheese in handfuls, stirring until fully melted. Then stir in the sharp cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
7. Add lemon juice: Stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to brighten and enhance the cheese flavor.
8. Combine pasta and sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with rich cheese sauce.
9. Prepare breadcrumb topping: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. In a small pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
10. Toast breadcrumbs: Add ¾ cup of breadcrumbs to the melted butter and toast, stirring occasionally until golden and crisp.
11. Top and bake: Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the topping is lightly golden.
12. Rest and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set and the mac and cheese to firm up slightly.

Notes

• Use a combination of mild and sharp cheeses for a balanced creamy and tangy flavor.
• Do not rinse the pasta after cooking to help the sauce adhere better.
• For a crispier topping, spread breadcrumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in the oven separately before topping the mac and cheese.
• Feel free to substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter version, but whole milk provides a richer sauce.
• Adding a pinch of smoked paprika and mustard powder enhances the depth of flavor.
• You can prepare the cheese sauce and pasta ahead of time, but add the breadcrumb topping and bake just before serving.
• Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, but may lose some crispness on the topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade mac and cheese, baked macaroni and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake