Description
A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese recipe featuring sharp white cheddar for a rich and indulgent comfort food experience. Perfect for chilly evenings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons (24g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups (200g) freshly shredded white cheddar cheese
- Optional: 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, usually 7-8 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and bubbly.
- Slowly pour in whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Stir in garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in freshly shredded white cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat every piece evenly.
- Optional: Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes for a crispy topping.
Notes
Shred your own cheese for the best melting results. Adjust the seasonings to taste, and if the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk. For a crispy topping, bake with breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: mac and cheese, white cheddar, comfort food, pasta, cheesy recipe