Description
Cozy Extra Creamy Classic Mac N Cheese is a rich, velvety, and indulgent comfort food that combines simple pantry ingredients into a smooth, cheesy dish perfect as a side or main. With its creamy texture and bold flavors, this recipe is family-friendly and easily customizable to suit various tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta
Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyere or mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder or 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until just al dente, about one minute less than package directions, ensuring a perfect bite and texture.
- Make the roux: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour until smooth and golden, cooking for about two minutes to remove any raw flour taste.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: Slowly add warm milk to the roux while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in sharp cheddar and optional cheeses until creamy and melted.
- Season the sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and a pinch of mustard powder or Dijon mustard to enhance depth and brightness in every spoonful.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and mix it into the cheese sauce until every piece is luxuriously coated with extra creamy goodness.
Notes
- Use quality cheeses for a richer, smoother sauce.
- Do not overcook pasta; slightly undercook to prevent mushiness after mixing.
- Whisk butter and flour thoroughly to make a lump-free roux.
- Add warm milk to the roux to help it thicken evenly and faster.
- Mix sharp cheddar with milder cheeses for complex flavor and silky texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, classic mac n cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, family-friendly, easy mac and cheese
