Quick and Easy Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Our easy cheddar mac and cheese recipe uses melty cheddar for the perfect weeknight dinner or anytime comfort food fix. Kids love it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk, not heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (8 oz. bar of cheese)
- ⅓ cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in salted water. Drain and toss with a little oil or butter to keep it from sticking together. Set aside.
- Mix the flour, salt, pepper, and dry mustard in a small bowl. Grate the cheese using a box grater.
- Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a skillet or the same pot used for cooking the pasta. Whisk in the flour mixture to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, a quarter cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 1 ½ minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni and stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 42.6gProtein: 19.4gTotal Fat: 22.3gSaturated Fat: 12.7gCholesterol: 64.9mgSodium: 416.7mgPotassium: 266.3mgFiber: 1.6gSugar: 5.4gNet Carbohydrates: 41g
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