Description
A creamy and delightful mac and cheese recipe that’s perfect for cozy days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Bread crumbs for topping
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the elbow macaroni. Boil a pot of salted water and add the pasta, cooking according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it carefully and set it aside.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour, stirring continuously until it forms a roux — this should take about one minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, taking care to remove any lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble, which should take around 5 minutes.
- Now it’s time to bring in the flavor! Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella, allowing them to melt seamlessly into the sauce. Add paprika, black pepper, mustard powder, and salt to taste.
- Combine the macaroni and cheese sauce in a large bowl, mixing well to ensure that every piece of pasta is coated in that luscious cheese.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. If you’re opting for a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the surface.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Finally, let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For a healthier twist, swap elbow macaroni for whole wheat or chickpea pasta. Use low-fat milk or non-dairy alternatives to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg