Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

You are going to love this Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe, because it is so easy to make and tastes infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store. All you need are a few simple ingredients and just 20 minutes to make the best macaroni and cheese ever.

Mac n’ cheese is the ultimate comfort food. After trying this super-easy, super-creamy macaroni and cheese recipe, you will never go back to the boxed stuff again!

How to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Begin by cooking your dry pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions, which usually takes 8 – 10 minutes. Next, make your cheese sauce! Cheese sauce, also known as Mornay sauce, is the key to creamy, crowd-pleasing mac n’ cheese.

To make the sauce, begin by whisking together equal amounts of butter and flour over medium heat to make a roux, which helps thicken the sauce. Whisk until it forms a paste that is golden brown in color and has a slightly toasted aroma. Next, whisk in the milk to form a white sauce (called béchamel) until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Finally, stir in your cooked pasta until it is completely coated in the sauce.

Can Pasta Make You Gain Weight?

From a nutritional standpoint, no single food alone has the ability to make you gain weight. However, pasta dishes do have a high calorie content, as they contain an average of nearly 250 calories for per cup.

Therefore, if you frequently eat pasta, you will have to be more mindful of your serving sizes. You should also pay closer attention to the sauces and seasonings that come with them. For a recipe like this Mac and Cheese, portion control is key!

You shouldn’t have more than two servings per meal (half a cup of cooked pasta is equivalent to one serving of grains). You should also opt for whole grain pasta when you can and serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or salad, to increase your fiber intake and to feel more satiated. 

More Quick Pasta Recipes to Try

Craving more pasta dishes? Here are some other recipes for you:

• Buttered Egg Noodles
• Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
• Sesame Noodles
• Healthier Mac and Cheese

For this Macaroni and Cheese recipe, I recommend:

Here is a tool I suggest using, to make sure this recipe turns out perfect:

Box grater – You can save a ton of money by grating a brick of cheese yourself, rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese also contains additives that prevent the cheese from sticking together in the bag. So if you grate the cheese yourself, it will melt better too!

If you make this Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡

Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Alia | Everyday Easy Eats

The ultimate comfort food. After trying this easy Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe, you will never go back to the boxed stuff again!

4.73 from 11 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 600 calories

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

• 2 cups macaroni (elbow) pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once butter has melted, whisk in flour and cook the mixture for about 2 minutes, whisking continuously, until it turns golden brown.
• Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture. Cook while whisking for about 5 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir in cheese until smooth. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Notes

1. To make this recipe healthier and higher in fiber, use whole wheat or whole grain pasta.
2. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Amount per Serving

Calories

600

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

32

g

49

%

Saturated Fat

 

20

g

125

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Cholesterol

 

95

mg

32

%

Sodium

 

506

mg

22

%

Potassium

 

361

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

52

g

17

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

8

g

9

%

Protein

 

26

g

52

%

Vitamin A

 

1147

IU

23

%

Calcium

 

570

mg

57

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword Best Mac and Cheese, Creamy Mac and Cheese, Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

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