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An extreme close-up of the cheese sauce for our homemade mac and cheese recipe, showing its smooth and velvety texture.
FL Recipes

Mac and Cheese Recipe (The Creamiest, Dreamiest Ever)

Discover the ultimate mac and cheese recipe! This guide delivers a foolproof, incredibly creamy, and flavorful baked mac and cheese with a rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for family dinners, it's the only recipe you'll ever need.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk warmed or at room temperature
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 2 cups gruyère cheese freshly grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp mustard powder

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Box grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
  3. Gradually pour in the warm milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until smooth. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is velvety.
  5. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is lightly golden. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 685kcalProtein: 28gFat: 45gFiber: 2g

Notes

For an extra crispy topping, mix 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking.
Always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
Keyword baked mac and cheese,creamy mac and cheese,mac and cheese

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