Here’s a classic, creamy macaroni and cheese recipe that’s easy, comforting, and perfect as a main or side:
Classic Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients (serves 4):
- 250 g elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Gruyère)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for breadcrumb topping)
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta:
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour to form a roux and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Combine:
- Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Optional baked version:
- Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
- Pour macaroni and cheese into a baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Serve hot on its own or as a side dish.
Tips & Variations:
- Add cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Try mixing cheeses like mozzarella, Gruyère, or Parmesan for a richer taste.
- For a quicker version, you can skip the baking and enjoy stovetop mac and cheese in 20 minutes.
I can also give a super quick one-pot stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Do you want me to share that one-pot version?
