Homemade Mac and Cheese
Homemade Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and can be made in about 20 minutes. Creamy, cheesy and delicious, the perfect addition to any weeknight dinner.
Mac and cheese is one of those things that I could eat every single day and never get tired of. I grew up on the blue box and still love it today but honestly, nothing beats homemade. The secret to a super creamy sauce is adding a bit of cream cheese into the sauce.
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There’s only a few simple ingredients for the best homemade cheese sauce that makes the most incredible mac and cheese. I like to start my cheese sauce with a basic white sauce with butter, flour and milk. Mix in your favorite cheese, cream cheese and a few spices and that’s it!
How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain well.
- Add butter to a saucepan and place over medium heat until melted. Whisk in flour, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for 2- 3 minutes whisking continually.
- Whisk in milk, cooking until mixture thickens. Mix in cream cheese until combined.
- Lower heat and mix in shredded cheese until completely melted.
- Mix in drained macaroni and serve immediately.
How to Store and Reheat:
Store leftover macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat add a tablespoon or two of milk to a saucepan with mac and cheese. Cook over medium heat, stirring until heated through.
What is the Best Cheese for Homemade Mac and Cheese:
I like to use a combination of cheeses and it’s easy to switch it up to whatever you have on hand. For this batch I used colby-jack and smoked gruyere. Cheddar, Swiss and gouda are also great options.
How to Bake Mac and Cheese:
- Most of the time I make the easy stovetop version but you can also bake it. Boil your macaroni for about 6 minutes and drain it. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
- Top the mac and cheese with a mixture of crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes.
I also use this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe to make Brisket Mac and Cheese! It’s an epic dinner that comes together really easy with BBQ Brisket. We also love this Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese for a quick dinner.
Delicious pasta recipes with rich and cheese sauces. Great for any family dinner and easy enough that anyone can make them! Lots of delicious cheddar sauce, fresh rosemary and crispy bacon take this easy pasta dish to the next level of flavorful and delicious! One of my go- to dishes for a busy weeknight. Perfect for leftover ham and always a hit with the entire family. A flavorful meal for busy weeknights. Ready in about 30 minutes and super easy cleanup with this one pot pasta dinner. Another one-pot dinner with lots of savory ham and a cheesy sauce. My family loves this easy meal. This creamy and comforting Brie Mac and Cheese is for those times when you want decedent comfort food without putting in the effort.Cheesy Pasta Dishes To Try
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Homemade Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 oz macaroni pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheese I used colby-jack and smoked gruyere
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain well.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, garlic, salt and pepper, cooking until mixture just starts to brown.
- Add milk and whisk until mixture thickens.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and combine into sauce.
- Lower heat to a simmer and whisk in shredded cheese.
- Stir in macaroni and serve immediately.
Notes
- Boil your macaroni for about 6 minutes and drain it. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven. Follow the same sauce instructions.
- Place in an oven safe dish. Top with a mixture of crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter or additional shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes.
Nutrition
