Here’s a classic creamy Macaroni and Cheese—rich, smooth, and totally comforting 🧀🍝
Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar works best)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and thick.
- Lower heat and stir in cheese until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Combine
- Stir cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until coated.
- Serve
- Enjoy as-is for stovetop mac and cheese.
Baked Option
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.
- Top with extra cheese or buttered breadcrumbs.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
Variations
- Extra creamy: Add ¼ cup cream cheese
- Three-cheese: Cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan
- Southern-style: Add egg + evaporated milk
- Add-ins: Bacon, ham, broccoli, jalapeños
If you want, I can also share a southern baked version, one-pot mac, or a kid-friendly quick recipe 😊
