Cheater Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this quick and easy Cheater Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines the creamy decadence of homemade mac and cheese with a streamlined, fuss-free method that's ready in just 20 minutes. Made with tender elbow macaroni, a velvety cheese sauce crafted from butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheddar, and seasoned simply with salt and black pepper, this recipe packs all the flavor with minimal effort. Skip the boxed stuff and enjoy a fresh, cheesy meal that’s perfect for the whole family. Serve it as a hearty main dish or a satisfying side for your next dinner!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add a generous pinch of salt. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until smooth and melted.
Season the cheese sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked macaroni back into the pot with the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional shredded cheese or a sprinkle of black pepper if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2297 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 110.2 g | 141% | |
| Saturated Fat | 67.2 g | 336% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 352 mg | 117% | |
| Sodium | 2970 mg | 129% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 217.6 g | 79% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.7 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.1 g | ||
| Protein | 107.0 g | 214% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.5 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 2235 mg | 172% | |
| Iron | 9.0 mg | 50% | |
| Potassium | 791 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
