Dreamy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe That Kids Adore

Creamy, delectable homemade mac and cheese beckons comfort food enthusiasts with its irresistible charm.

Cheesy goodness awaits your culinary adventure right in your kitchen.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of this classic dish that warms souls instantly.

Nobody can resist the allure of perfectly melted cheese coating tender noodles.

Grandma’s secret techniques combine with modern twists to create something extraordinary.

Mouthwatering aromas will drift through your home, promising pure deliciousness.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable bite of this incredible recipe.

Mac and Cheese That’s Bubbly, Creamy, and Homemade

• Quick and Effortless Comfort: Whip up this mac and cheese in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by adding bacon, jalapeños, or different cheese blends to suit individual tastes, making it a versatile dish for family dinners and potlucks.
• Kid-Friendly Delight: Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly smooth, this homemade mac and cheese will win over even the pickiest eaters, replacing processed boxed versions with a wholesome, delicious alternative.
• Texture Sensation: Choose between a creamy stovetop version or a crispy baked option with golden breadcrumb topping, giving you the flexibility to enjoy this classic comfort food exactly how you like it.

Mac and Cheese (Homemade) Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce, choose traditional elbow macaroni for authentic texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and flavorful cheese providing rich, tangy base for the sauce, use medium or sharp for best flavor.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create smooth sauce base, use unsalted for better control of seasoning.
• Milk: Creates creamy liquid foundation for cheese sauce, whole milk recommended for fuller texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds extra richness and smoothness to sauce, ensures luxurious mouthfeel.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating roux and thickening cheese sauce, helps prevent lumps.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish, use kosher or sea salt.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth, freshly ground recommended.

• Mustard Powder: Provides subtle tang and complexity to cheese sauce, adds depth without overwhelming.
• Paprika: Offers mild warmth and slight color, use sweet or smoked variety.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy golden topping, provides textural contrast to creamy mac and cheese.
• Melted Butter: Helps breadcrumbs brown and become crisp, ensures golden color and extra flavor.

Mac and Cheese Homemade Prep

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Grab a large pot and fill it with water.

Add a generous pinch of salt to make the pasta taste amazing.

Drop in the macaroni and cook until it’s perfectly tender but still has a slight bite.

Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside, ready for its cheesy transformation.

Step 2: Whip Up Cheese Sauce Base

Grab a heavy-bottomed pot and melt butter over medium heat.

Sprinkle in flour and whisk vigorously for about a minute to create a golden roux.

This magical mixture will help thicken your sauce.

Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to create a silky smooth base.

Step 3: Melt Cheese to Perfection

Lower the heat and let the magic begin.

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Mustard powder
• Paprika

Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously smooth sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Marry Pasta and Cheese

Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.

Gently fold and mix until every single pasta noodle is beautifully coated with the creamy goodness.

You can serve it right away for an instant comfort meal.

Step 5: Create Crispy Baked Topping

For those craving extra texture, transfer the mac and cheese to a buttered baking dish.

Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.

Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 15 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

The result?

A crispy, creamy masterpiece that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy Prep Ideas for Homemade Mac and Cheese

• Use a mix of sharp cheddar and a melty cheese like Gruyère for deeper, more complex flavor.
• Grate cheese at room temperature and add it gradually to the sauce, stirring constantly to ensure smooth, creamy texture.
• Add a small amount of mustard powder or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the cheese's richness without overpowering.
• Slightly undercook macaroni before mixing with sauce, as it will continue cooking during baking and prevent mushy results.
• Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk, and use gluten-free flour and pasta for a lactose-free and gluten-free version.

Homemade Mac & Cheese Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the mac and cheese tightly to prevent drying out.
• Reheat individual portions by adding a splash of milk, covering with a damp paper towel, and microwaving in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
• Restore crispy breadcrumb topping by placing mac and cheese in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle extra milk to prevent drying and maintain creamy texture.
• Freeze unbaked mac and cheese in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed in the original recipe.

Mac and Cheese Perfect Pairings

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay with bright acidity to cut through the mac and cheese's richness, creating a perfect balance between creamy pasta and refreshing wine.
• Complement with Tangy Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with a light vinaigrette to provide a zesty contrast against the rich, cheesy pasta, adding freshness and lightness to the meal.
• Match with Smoky Bacon Bits: Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces on top to introduce a salty, crunchy texture that elevates the mac and cheese's creamy profile and adds depth of flavor.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a side of roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts to bring a nutritious, caramelized element that complements the decadent pasta dish.

Mac and Cheese Classic Options

• Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, using gluten-free pasta to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Comfort Mac: Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, and cashew cream, using vegan butter for a creamy plant-based alternative.
• Protein-Packed Mac: Add cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced ham to increase protein content, transforming the classic dish into a more substantial meal.
• Spicy Southwestern Mac: Mix in diced green chiles, jalapeños, and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese for a zesty, southwestern-inspired flavor profile.

FAQs

• What cheeses work best for mac and cheese?

Sharp cheddar provides the most flavor, but a blend of cheddar, monterey jack, and gruyere creates a rich, complex taste. Avoid pre-shredded cheese as it doesn’t melt as smoothly.

• How can I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Always add cheese to the sauce off the heat and stir gently. Use room temperature cheese and don’t overheat, which can cause the proteins to separate and create a grainy texture.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your breadcrumbs are also gluten-free if making the baked version.

• How do I make the sauce extra creamy?

Use a combination of whole milk and heavy cream. Adding a small amount of cream cheese or mascarpone can also enhance the sauce’s smoothness and richness.

Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy, comforting homemade mac and cheese delivers ultimate cheesy satisfaction straight from your kitchen. Gooey cheddar and smooth sauce embrace tender pasta, promising pure culinary bliss you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese and Pasta:

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni (or shells, cavatappi, penne)

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter

Seasonings and Additions:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• (Optional: 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs + 1 tablespoon melted butter for baking)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of generously salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil before carefully adding elbow macaroni, cooking until perfectly tender yet slightly firm.
2. While pasta cooks, create a velvety roux by melting butter in a separate heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisking in flour until the mixture transforms into a smooth, golden base.
3. Slowly stream milk and cream into the roux, continuously whisking to eliminate any potential lumps and create a silky, thickening foundation for the cheese sauce.
4. Reduce the heat to low, gradually incorporate sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until the mixture becomes a luxurious, glossy sauce enriched with a subtle hint of mustard powder and paprika.
5. Drain the cooked macaroni thoroughly, then gently fold it into the molten cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is lavishly coated with the creamy mixture.
6. For those desiring a crispy finish, transfer the mac and cheese to a buttered baking dish, crown with a golden mixture of panko breadcrumbs tossed in melted butter.
7. Slide the prepared dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), allowing it to transform for approximately 15 minutes until the top achieves a gorgeous, crunchy golden-brown crust.

Notes

• Perfectly al dente pasta prevents mushy mac and cheese, so set a timer and test pasta frequently while boiling.
• Grate cheese fresh from a block for superior melting and smoother sauce compared to pre-shredded options.
• Room temperature milk and cream blend more easily into the roux, creating a silkier cheese sauce without lumps.
• Elevate the dish by experimenting with different cheese combinations like gruyère, sharp cheddar, or monterey jack for complex flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg