Easy Home Made Mac N Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this Easy Homemade Mac N Cheese is the ultimate weeknight staple your family will love. Made with tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce crafted from sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe balances simplicity and indulgence. A quick roux of butter and flour serves as the base, while milk and half-and-half add luxurious creaminess. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of garlic powder, black pepper, and an optional sprinkle of paprika for color, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes. Whether you're whipping it up for a cozy dinner, a side dish, or meal-prep leftovers, this classic baked alternative is comfort food at its finest. Ideal for busy evenings or when you’re craving a homemade touch, this mac and cheese is the ultimate solution to cheesy cravings!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Half and half
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbling.
Gradually whisk in the milk and half and half, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it begins to thicken.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish and sprinkle paprika on top, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade mac and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3040 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 172.0 g | 221% | |
| Saturated Fat | 108.1 g | 540% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 542 mg | 180% | |
| Sodium | 5506 mg | 239% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 236.5 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.6 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.0 g | ||
| Protein | 147.3 g | 295% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.6 mcg | 33% | |
| Calcium | 3369 mg | 259% | |
| Iron | 11.4 mg | 63% | |
| Potassium | 1394 mg | 30% | |
*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.
