November 27, 2021

Best Mac & Cheese Recipe

Name: The Best Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 8 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 16 oz elbow macaroni noodles; ¼ cup butter; ¼ cup flour; 2 cups heavy cream; 3 cups whole milk; 2 oz cream cheese; 2 cups medium sharp cheddar cheese (shredded); 2 cups Colby and Monterey cheese (shredded); ¼ cup Swiss and Gruyere cheese; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper

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This is the BEST Mac & Cheese Recipe you will ever make! In 15 minutes you can have a bowl of this this creamy, rich, and cheesy coated plate of noodles, and hearts will be full!

One for Your Holiday Recipes Notebooks!

macaroni and cheese recipe — Creamiest Mac and Cheese!

I make this for thanksgiving dinner every year and this year I made a few tweaks… Let’s just say, the pot was gone!

Creamy Dreamy Mac & Cheese

Macaroni noodles are baked with butter, different types of cheese, and heavy whipping cream to create the Best Mac and Cheese recipe. — Macaroni noodles are baked with butter, different types of cheese, and heavy whipping cream to create the ultimate comforting dish.

Whatever the occasion, whatever the reason, this mac and cheese recipe will always bring comfort and warmth. Both kids and adults will be giddy with excitement over this silky, creamy, and cheesy goodness!

Once you try this homemade Mac and Cheese, you won’t go back to the boxed version ever again. For a complete meal, serve your mac and cheese with boiled and seasoned broccoli or glazed carrots.

Why is this the Best Homemade Mac & Cheese?

It’s extra saucy, creamy, and totally dreamy

It’s easy to make the sauce from scratch

The pasta does not get dry and remains nice and creamy

It tastes wonderful, especially when it is paired with sharp cheddar cheese

It is great for add-ins. The sky is basically your limit here. You can add proteins, herbs, or your favorite veggies

It’s a kid friendly recipe that the entire family will enjoy, even your pickiest eaters!

Irresistibly Smooth & Cheesy!

This Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese is made with bite-size macaroni, cheese, and a simple creamy sauce all cooked to perfection! — After you try this homemade mac and cheese, you’ll never turn to the boxed version again.

What Ingredients Are Needed for Mac and Cheese?

Macaroni noodles: The classic elbow noodles are my favorite, but feel free to use your favorite pasta. Elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, and shells are excellent choices. Gluten-free pasta also works well!

Butter: There really isn’t a substitute for butter in this recipe in terms of flavor. Use unsalted butter for this and then adjust salt to taste when making the sauce. However, if salted butter is all you have, it will suffice. If butter is unavailable, you can use margarine or ghee.

Flour: I use all purpose flour. However, corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, and all-purpose gluten-free flour can be used as well.

Cheese: Traditional mac and cheese is made with sharp cheddar cheese. For a richer cheesy taste, I use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey, and Swiss and Gruyere. I also add some cream cheese to make the sauce extra creamy.

Heavy cream: Adding heavy cream will make the sauce rich and creamy.

Milk: This recipe works well with any type of milk. Just keep in mind that the more fat you use, the creamier your homemade mac and cheese will be.

Salt and Pepper: Add some salt and a dash of black pepper for extra flavor.

What is the Best Cheese to Use for Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese?

Macaroni and cheese is often made with sharp cheddar cheese. It’s practically a part of every American kid’s childhood.

Cheddar is my nostalgic favorite when it comes to mac and cheese. It melts easily, making it ideal for that delectable cheese pull. It also gives the mac and cheese the classic orange color.

I also add in some Colby and Monterey because of their mild flavor and good melting properties. Also, for a lot of complex cheese flavor and depth to the dish, I add some Swiss and Gruyere cheese.

It’s better to grate your own cheese, no matter what kind you use. I know it takes a little more time to prepare, but hand-grated cheese melts so much easier into the sauce. But you can skip this part and use pre shredded cheese as I have before and it will be perfect!

Look at this Silky Glossy Cheesy Sauce!

This mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by children and adults alike. It uses a combination of cheeses melted into a rich and creamy sauce, for the ultimate in cheesy deliciousness! Ideal for a hearty dinner or as a holiday side dish! — This is the best ever Mac & Cheese! You have to give it a shot at least once!

How to Avoid Grainy Cheese Sauce

The type of cheddar you use makes a difference. High quality aged cheddar cheese will taste better and have a smoother texture. Milder and cheaper cheddar cheese will taste less flavorful.

Fresh grated cheese is best. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded store-bought cheese, and grating cheese ensures it melts smoothly and evenly in sauce.

Does Cheese Have To Be At Room Temperature?

Make sure the cheese is at room temperature. It’s always good to grate the cheese first, before starting the recipe. By doing so, it can sit at room temperature while you prepare the white sauce.

Use low heat. The cheese will melt properly and smoothly if the temperature changes gradually. Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool for a few minutes before adding the cheese. The sauce should only be warm enough to melt the cheese.

What Can You Add to Mac and Cheese?

You can dress up your macaroni and cheese in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:

Fresh Herbs
Crumbled Bacon
Grilled chicken
Broccoli
Hot Sauce
Jalapenos

Macaroni and Cheese Variations

Baked Mac and Cheese: Simply combine the pasta and cheese sauce in a baking dish and bake with a little more cheese and breadcrumbs on top.

Taco Mac & Cheese: Taco Mac & Cheese is the perfect duo! So rich and cheesy, it melts in your mouth mixed with taco seasoned ground beef!

Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: A lower carb version that you can enjoy guilt-free!

Turkey and Mac Sandwich: Thanksgiving leftovers is the best way to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner all over again, but, in a sandwich!

A Classic Dish that’s Ready in No Time

This mac and cheese recipe has a thick creamy texture and enough cheesy goodness to make you swoon. — Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese made with bite-size macaroni, cheese, and a simple creamy sauce all cooked to perfection!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this gluten free?

Sure! Simply make the roux with gluten-free macaroni and gluten-free flour.

Can I reheat Mac and Cheese?

This Mac & Cheese reheats well in the microwave. It only takes 2 minutes. Add a few extra spoons of milk to make it extra creamy. You can also reheat it in a pot on the stove on low heat.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

YES you can!! Freshly shredded cheese melts better in mac and cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent it from sticking together, which affects how it melts but it still has worked for me!

How Long does Mac & Cheese keep in the fridge?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?

Cook your noodles in milk instead of water. So for this recipe you will cook your noodles with 2 cups heavy cream and 3 cups whole milk. This helps to create a very creamy consistency since the starches of the noodles are released into the milk when cooked.

Top Tips

Cook pasta until it’s al dente (firm). Otherwise, the noodles will cook more in the sauce and will become mushy.

Salt the pasta water. This really makes a difference in the flavor of the pasta.

Shred the cheese by hand because pre-shredded cheese contains additives to keep it from clumping together which affects the way it melts.

For more flavor to this mac‘n cheese, you can add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.

A great way to keep the macaroni extra creamy is to place the finished macaroons and cheese in a baking dish, top with more cheese of choice. Bake for 8 minutes at 350F then broil for 2 minutes until the top is golden.

Save, Pin, and Share This Mac & Cheese Recipe

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains four types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious! — There’s nothing to say, but there’s plenty to eat!

Best Mac & Cheese Ingredients

Elbow macaroni pasta
butter
flour
heavy cream
milk
cream cheese
sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Colby and Monterey cheese, shredded
Swiss and Gruyere cheese, shredded
salt
black pepper

Steps to Prep the Best Mac & Cheese Recipe

First, boil a pot of water. Add a little salt and pasta and cook for 8 minutes then strain.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan on low / medium heat melt butter, then add the flour and whisk together until smooth. Then slowly add the milk, whisking to combine.

After that, add in the cream cheese, shredded Colby and Monterey cheese and the gruyere cheese. Whisk until creamy.

Finally, gently fold in the cooked elbow pasta. Serve immediately and enjoy!

More Macaroni Recipes to Try:

Taco Mac & Cheese

Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Turkey and Mac Sandwich

Gigi Hadid’s Viral Pasta Recipe (Without the Vodka)

Tuna Pasta Salad

Viral Air Fryer Pasta Chips

Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti

Pasta Salad Dressing

Mediterranean Pasta

Tomato Parmesan Spaghetti

Rotini Crab Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

The Best Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Lama

This Mac and Cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by children and adults alike. It uses a combination of cheeses melted into a rich and creamy sauce, for the ultimate cheesy deliciousness! Ideal for a hearty dinner or as a holiday side dish!

5 from 24 votes

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Prep Time 8 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings people

Ingredients

16 oz elbow macaroni noodles
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
2 cups heavy cream
3 cups whole milk
2 oz cream cheese
2 cups medium sharp cheddar cheese shredded
2 cups Colby and Monterey cheese shredded
¼ cup Swiss and Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Boil a pot of water, add a little salt, pasta and cook for 8 minutes then strain.
Meanwhile in a large saucepan on low / medium heat melt butter, then add the flour and whisk together until smooth. After that, slowly add the milk, whisking to combine.
Add in the cream cheese, shredded Colby and Monterey cheese and the Gruyere cheese. Whisk until creamy.
Gently fold in the cooked elbow pasta. Serve immediately and Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Top Tips

Cook pasta until it’s al dente (firm). Otherwise, the noodles will cook more in the sauce and will become mushy.

Salt the pasta water. This really makes a difference in the flavor of the pasta.

Shred the cheese by hand because pre-shredded cheese contains additives to keep it from clumping together which affects the way it melts.

For more flavor to this mac ‘n cheese, you can add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.

A great way to keep the macaroni extra creamy is to place the finished macaroni and cheese in a baking dish, top with more cheese of choice. Bake for 8 minutes at 350F then broil for 2 minutes until the top is golden.

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP MAC AND CHEESE CREAMY – Cook your noodles in milk instead of water. So for this recipe you will cook your noodles with 2 cups heavy cream and 3 cups whole milk. This helps to create a very creamy consistency since the starches of the noodles are released into the milk when cooked.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!