Description
This classic American Macaroni Cheese recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. The sauce is thickened with a roux of butter and flour, enriched with whole milk, and seasoned perfectly with salt, pepper, mustard, and paprika. For a delightful twist, it can be baked with a buttery breadcrumb topping until golden and bubbly, making it a perfect comforting main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and smooth but not browned, forming a roux.
- Add Milk and Thicken: Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble, about 5–7 minutes.
- Season the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and paprika to enhance the flavor of the cheese sauce.
- Add Cheeses: Gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses to the sauce, stirring until the cheeses have fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to coat every piece of pasta with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Bake (Optional): For a baked macaroni cheese, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and evenly sprinkle this mixture on top of the dish.
- Bake and Serve: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use a mix of cheeses such as Gruyère or mozzarella for a different flavor variation.
- For extra creaminess, stir in 1/4 cup of cream cheese into the sauce.
- To add a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
