Oh yes 😌 mac and cheese—creamy, cheesy, and pure comfort in a bowl. Here’s a classic stovetop version, plus a baked option if you want a golden crust.
🧀 Classic Mac and Cheese
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (about 2 cups dry)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk works best)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mix cheddar + Monterey Jack)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika or mustard powder (optional, for flavor)
Optional baked topping
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook pasta
- Boil macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and cook 1–2 min to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk, bring to a simmer until thickened (~3–5 min).
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese, salt, pepper, and optional paprika/mustard powder.
- Combine
- Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce until fully coated.
- Optional bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pour mac and cheese into a baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 15–20 min until golden and bubbly.
- Serve
- Serve hot, optionally topped with extra cheese, paprika, or chopped parsley.
Pro Tips
- Extra creamy: Add ¼ cup cream cheese or heavy cream to sauce.
- Mix cheeses: Cheddar + Gruyère or Fontina = gooey luxury.
- Add-ins: Cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or sautéed mushrooms make it special.
- For extra crunch, broil for 2–3 min after baking.
I can also give you a low-carb cauliflower mac and cheese, a one-pot stovetop version, or a 5-minute microwave version if you want 😏.
Do you want one of those variations?
