Best 15 Easiest Mac N Cheese Ever Recipes

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Mac n cheese is a classic dish that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but there are many different variations on the recipe. If you are looking for an easy mac n cheese recipe that is sure to please everyone, then you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with the steps on how to make the easiest mac n cheese ever. You will only need a few simple ingredients and you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASIEST HOMESTYLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easiest Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese image

My family always expects the 'real deal' homemade macaroni and cheese, and this recipe passed the 'family taste test' with flying colors on Easter. However, this time it was much easier to make, using jarred Alfredo sauce instead of homemade white sauce. Try it. It's easy as pie, and FABULOUS!

Provided by Ginger Hackley

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 10

cooking spray
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 (16 ounce) packages elbow macaroni
2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
1 (1 pound) package processed cheese (such as Velveeta®), cubed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 (16 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
dry bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 10 1/2x13 1/2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil; stir 1 teaspoon salt and vegetable oil into boiling water. Gradually stir macaroni into the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until macaroni are tender but still slightly firm, about 10 minutes. Drain well and pour macaroni into prepared baking dish.
  • Pour Alfredo sauce into a 3-quart microwave-safe bowl and stir processed cheese into sauce; microwave on 60 percent power for 6 minutes. Stir sauce mixture and microwave for 5 more minutes on 60 percent power. Season with black pepper and paprika. Stir 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese into mixture until cheese has melted and sauce is thick and smooth.
  • Pour half the cheese sauce over macaroni and stir to coat; pour in remaining cheese mixture and stir again. Spread remaining shredded sharp Cheddar cheese over macaroni. Top casserole with bread crumbs.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Broil casserole under oven's broiler for 3 to 4 minutes if you like a browned top. Let macaroni and cheese stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.1 calories, Carbohydrate 41.6 g, Cholesterol 58.9 mg, Fat 26.7 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 997.1 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

BEST MAC 'N CHEESE EVER!



Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever! image

This is the best mac 'n cheese ever! I started out by going through the recipes on this site and when I found one I wanted to try, I was putting together the first few ingredients and said, 'Ya know what would be great to add to this...' and that's where the 'Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever' was created. By the time I was done and it was served at our New Year's Day lunch everyone was raving about how delish it was. Try this easy recipe for a down-home Southern taste of the Best Baked Mac 'N Cheese Ever!

Provided by CASS CLARK

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 11

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 cup evaporated milk
4 extra large eggs
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend
6 slices processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), torn into 4 pieces
½ cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain; pour macaroni into the prepared dish.
  • Beat eggs, sour cream, seasoned salt, and black pepper into a smooth mixture; stir Cheddar cheese and Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese into mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour over macaroni and mix well. Top casserole with torn pieces of processed cheese. Drizzle melted butter over casserole, especially along the sides.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 130.2 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 17.2 g, Sodium 551 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.

Provided by g0dluvsugly

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for the dish
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni with ridges
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups milk
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
  • For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
  • For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.

EASIEST MAC-N-CHEESE EVER!



Easiest Mac-N-Cheese Ever! image

I have tried many more-complicated recipes for macaroni and cheese. Not only is this one often requested for family functions, but it is easy to make! Kids LOVE this recipe. It is so handy for busy moms.

Provided by Anncredible

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 ounces elbow macaroni
4 ounces cubed processed cheese food
2 fluid ounces milk
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
  • Place a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine the cheese food, milk, and pepper in the saucepan; cook until the cheese has melted, stirring frequently. Stir in the drained macaroni until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 136.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 15.7 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 241.5 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

EASIEST & CHEESIEST MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easiest & Cheesiest Macaroni and Cheese image

This is my personal recipe. I love Stouffer's mac and cheese and I decided to take a chance at making my own. This is pretty close and in a house of picky eaters, the first time I made it--it was gone in minutes. I have a rather large family, so you can halve the recipe to make for a smaller family. Also the larger recipe is good if you want to serve as a meal.

Provided by Maggie Brooks

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb macaroni (I use either elbows or springs)
4 cups milk
1 1/2 lbs shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer to shred myself)
1 lb mozzarella cheese
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 medium onion, diced small
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • This step will take approximately 20 minutes, so preheat oven to 350° while working on this step.
  • Put macaroni to boil.
  • In a medium pot heat butter and sauté onions.
  • Add milk, flour, salt and pepper; bring to a rolling boil.
  • Slowly add cheddar cheese, stirring while adding.
  • After cheddar has dissolved, add the mozzarella, stirring while adding.
  • Drain macaroni.
  • Add macaroni directly to the cheese mixture in the pot.
  • Pour mac and cheese mixture into large lasagna pan.
  • Put in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until top is bubbly and golden brown.

EASY ONE-POT MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Easy One-pot Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: whole milk, elbow macaroni, butter, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Provided by Matthew Johnson

Categories     Sides

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 cups whole milk
1 box elbow macaroni
½ cup butter
2 cups cheddar cheese
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
fresh parsley, to serve

Steps:

  • In a large pot on medium-high heat, gently heat the milk to a simmer.
  • Add in the elbow macaroni. Cook until the pasta is tender.
  • Once the noodles are cooked, turn off the heat. Add in the butter, cheddar, salt, and pepper. Fold these ingredients with the pasta until the cheese and butter melt into the milk to create a thick sauce.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 758 calories, Carbohydrate 72 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 32 grams, Sugar 12 grams

"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE



We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!

Provided by Sageca

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

cheese sauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups 1% low-fat milk
14 ounces white medium cheddar, grated
2 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1 ounce asiago cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
pasta
12 ounces macaroni
salt for pasta water
2 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces gruyere, grated
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
  • Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
  • The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
  • Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
  • Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
  • When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
  • Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
  • Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
  • Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
  • Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.

BEST BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE EVER!



Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ever! image

After being dissatisfied with many macaroni and cheese recipes, I experimented and came up with my own. Everyone that has tried it simply raves about it... I don't mean to toot my own horn but beep beep! (Serves 4)

Provided by AinsleyRose

Categories     Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 (8 ounce) container refrigerated sharp cheese spread (if you can't find it, Cheese Whiz is an okay substitute but really go for the sharp spread)
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8-1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt (depends how salt sensitive you are)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 -2 dash cayenne pepper
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup Velveeta cheese (in small cubes)
2 -3 slices American cheese (reserve for topping casserole)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs or 1/4 cup cracker crumb

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Cook macaroni just until al dente and drain, set aside.
  • While pasta is boiling, melt the butter in a large saucepan.
  • Whisk in the flour over medium heat until smooth & bubbly (only about a minute).
  • Stir in evaporated milk, cheese spread, pepper, mustard, seasoned salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper Keep cooking and stirring over medium heat until sauce has thickened (about 3 or 4 minutes).
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and Velveeta to the white sauce and stir just until cheeses have melted.
  • Add macaroni and stir until pasta is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
  • Pour into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam.
  • Arrange cheese slices on top, sprinkle with cracker crumbs and dot somewhat generously with butter.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is nice and golden and casserole is heated through.
  • Let stand about 5 minutes before serving and enjoy!

THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



The Easiest Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2-3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 cups milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter in microwave.
  • Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
  • Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
  • Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
  • Add milk. Do not stir.
  • Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7

BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE EVER



Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever image

Ok, My mom hates macaroni and cheese and when she tried this she instantly fell in love. My little brother(age 1 1/2) ate a whole plate.

Provided by MightyMickie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 bowls

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups elbow macaroni
4 teaspoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/4 cups milk
2 1/2 cups Velveeta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni, Drain.
  • In sauce pan melt butter, stir in 4tbs flour, salt, pepper (until smooth) and add milk and cook (cook on low, milk will scald) while stirring until thickened and bubbly.
  • Stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.
  • Combine Macaroni and sauce in buttered casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake in oven for 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Fat 6.2, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 18.9, Sodium 503.8, Carbohydrate 36.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.1, Protein 8.8

3-INGREDIENT MAC & CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



3-ingredient Mac & Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing says comforting and classic like mac and cheese. Remember when you were a little kid and you sat down at the dinner table? There it was: a glorious pot of mac and cheese. Ooey, gooey, and oh-so-delightful. Well, we're taking you back there with our 3-ingredient mac-hack. That's right: only three ingredients to bliss. It's so good, you'll never go back to the boxed stuff!

Provided by Alvin Zhou

Categories     Sides

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

5 cups milk
1 lb elbow macaroni, dry
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil.
  • Add the pasta and stir constantly until the pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, then add the cheddar. Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is evenly coated.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 803 calories, Carbohydrate 100 grams, Fat 27 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 37 grams, Sugar 18 grams

THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER



The Best Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe Ever image

Super creamy and gloriously cheesy, this classic baked mac and cheese boasts a golden bubbling lid with ooey gooey goodness underneath.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces macaroni ( or other medium tubular pasta (like penne or conchiglie)* (1/2 pound or about 1 and 3/4 cups))
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika ((plus more for sprinkling on top))
2 1/2 cups 2% milk
3 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese ((approx. 12 ounces) **)

Steps:

  • Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
  • Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
  • Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
  • Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 601 mg, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, ServingSize 1 serving

BEST EVER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE



Best ever macaroni cheese recipe image

This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping

Provided by Jennifer Joyce

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 9

50g baguette, cut into small chunks
2 tbsp butter, plus 1 tbsp melted
350g spiral or other short pasta
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tsp English mustard powder
3 tbsp plain flour
500ml whole milk
250g vegetarian mature cheddar, grated
50g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside.
  • Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour.
  • Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan.
  • Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes.
  • Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking - defrost thoroughly before cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 42 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 88 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Protein 38 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium

BEST EVER MAC & CHEESE



Best Ever Mac & Cheese image

To make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! -Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
4 slices hearty white bread (4 ounces), torn into large pieces
6 tablespoons butter, cubed and divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup (4 ounces) cubed process cheese (Velveeta)
1 block (8 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 block (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pan. Pulse bread, 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until coarsely ground., Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add ground mustard and cayenne; stir until blended. Stir in flour until smooth, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Velveeta. Slowly add remaining cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until cheese is melted. Add Worcestershire and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top of casserole. Bake until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 762 calories, Fat 43g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 134mg cholesterol, Sodium 1138mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

Tips:

  • For a creamy and cheesy sauce: Use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add a splash of milk or cream for extra richness.
  • For a crispy topping: Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers. You can also add a sprinkle of paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor.
  • To make it a complete meal: Add some cooked bacon, chicken, or vegetables to the mac and cheese. You can also serve it with a side salad or soup.
  • To save time: Use pre-shredded cheese and frozen macaroni noodles. You can also make the mac and cheese ahead of time and reheat it when you're ready to serve.

Conclusion:

This easy mac and cheese recipe is a classic comfort food that is sure to please everyone at your table. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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