Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that's easy to make and always satisfying. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a creamy, cheesy dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. You can customize it with your favorite cheeses or add-ins to make it your own.

One of the best things about mac and cheese is how easy it is to make. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. This recipe can be ready in under an hour, which makes it perfect for busy days. You don’t need to be a professional chef to get it right, just follow along, and it’ll turn out great.

Mac and cheese works wonderfully as a side dish, pairing well with chicken, ribs or even a salad. But it’s also satisfying enough to be enjoyed as a main dish. The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender pasta make it hard to resist.

Another great thing is how customizable it is. If you like a little crunch, you can top it with breadcrumbs and bake it. Want some protein? Add cooked bacon or shredded chicken. Veggie lovers can toss in some broccoli or spinach.

Add-ins to level up your mac and cheese:

• Bacon

• Caramelized Onions

• Broccoli

• Shreded Chicken

• Pulled Pork

• Jalapenos

• Breadcrumbs

• Hot sauce

• Truffles

My favorite dishes to serve with mac and cheese:

• Garlic Bread

• Fried Chicken

• Pulled Pork

• BBQ Ribs

• Grilled Corn

Tips and tricks for the perfect mac and cheese

1. Shred your own cheese: Shredding your own cheese makes the sauce creamier and ensures better flavor.

2. Use a mix of cheeses: Combining sharp and melty cheeses like cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella, or Gruyère gives your mac and cheese a deeper, more balanced flavor.

3. Don’t overbake: If you’re baking it, don’t leave it in the oven too long. Bake just enough to set the sauce and melt the cheese topping, overbaking can dry it out.

4. You can make it ahead of time: you can assemble it ahead, refrigerate, and bake it later.

Ingredients you will need for this recipe

• Macaroni: This is the base of the dish, providing texture and structure. Macaroni is the classic choice because its shape holds the cheese sauce well.

• Butter: Forms the foundation of the roux.

• Flour: Combines with butter to create a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce and gives it a silky texture.

• Milk: Helps create the base of the sauce while keeping it creamy without being overly rich.

• Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.

• Seasonings: Enhance the flavor of the cheese sauce.

Step by step directions

1. Preheat your oven to 200C.

2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Once ready, drain and set aside.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

4. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.

5. Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.

6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens slightly (a few minutes).

7. Reduce the heat to low.

8. Stir in three quarters of the cheeses (saving a quarter for topping) until fully melted and smooth.

9. Add the seasonings and stir.

10. Lastly, add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.

11. Transfer the mac and cheese to an oven safe baking dish and top with a little extra grated cheese.

12. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Yield: 5

Author: Angie

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Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that's easy to make and always satisfying. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a creamy, cheesy dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. You can customize it with your favorite cheeses or add-ins to make it your own.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 400g macaroni
• 65g butter
• 55g all-purpose flour
• 455g milk
• 200g heavy cream (32% fat content)
• Cheeses: 200g Emmentaler, 200g Gruyere, 200g Cheddar, 100g Gouda
• Seasonings: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sweet paprika, 1/2 tsp hot paprika, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic, oregano for topping

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 200C.
2. 2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Once ready, drain and set aside.
3. 3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. 4. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.
5. 5. Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
6. 6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens slightly (a few minutes).
7. 7. Reduce the heat to low.
8. 8. Stir in three quarters of the cheeses (saving a quarter for topping) until fully melted and smooth.
9. 9. Add the seasonings and stir.
10. 10. Lastly, add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
11. 11. Transfer the mac and cheese to an oven safe baking dish and top with a little extra grated cheese.
12. 12. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

779

Fat

42 g

Sat. Fat

25 g

Carbs

74 g

Fiber

3 g

Net Carbs

71 g

Sugar

8 g

Protein

27 g

Sodium

208 mg

Cholesterol

121 mg

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