Description
Creamy mac and cheese blends rich cheddar with velvety sauce, promising comfort in every forkful. Homemade goodness awaits you, delivering classic American comfort that satisfies deeply and deliciously.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ingredients:
- 4 cups (454 grams) shredded medium sharp cheddar
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded Gruyere
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups (600 milliliters) half-and-half
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a gentle 325°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light layer of grease.
- Cook pasta in rapidly boiling water until tender yet firm, then drain and lightly coat with oil to prevent sticking.
- Create a roux by melting butter in a large pot, then sprinkle flour and whisk continuously for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually stream milk and half-and-half into the roux, whisking steadily to develop a silky, thickened sauce without lumps.
- Remove pot from heat and fold in seasonings and three-quarters of the cheese, stirring until completely melted and incorporated.
- Gently fold pasta into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring each noodle is generously coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, creating even layers and distributing remaining cheese across the top surface.
- Slide into preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
Notes
- Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally during boiling and using a tiny bit of oil after draining.
- Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting smoothness and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Experiment with cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or monterey jack to create deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Use whole milk or higher fat dairy for creamier, more luxurious texture that coats pasta perfectly without feeling grainy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 528
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg