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Mac and Cheese Recipe

Homemade Mac and Cheese

This homemade baked mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and full of cheddar flavor. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners, it's a crowd-pleasing comfort food that's easy to make from scratch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Mac and Cheese Ingredients
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for greasing the baking dish
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 cups whole milk or half-and-half or a mix of both
  • 1 1/2 pounds medium cheddar cheese about 6 cups shredded, reserve 1 cup for topping
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • paprika optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Box grater
  • Whisk
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  4. Slowly whisk in the milk or half-and-half, a little at a time, until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in 5 cups of shredded cheddar, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully melted.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated.
  7. Spread half of the mac and cheese into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with half of the reserved cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese. Top with paprika if using.
  8. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute part of the cheddar with other melting cheeses like Gruyère or Fontina for extra flavor. For a crispy topping, add buttered breadcrumbs before baking.