Easy Mac & Cheese
Easy Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- as needed salt, for boiling pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 stick butter, (4 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Topping
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. Add the 1 pound of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the macaroni thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Add the 1/2 cup of flour to the melted butter. Whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a smooth roux.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Slowly whisk in the 4 cups of whole milk, ensuring the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Stir in the 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Whisk until all the seasonings are well combined.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Reduce the heat to low. Add the 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 8 ounces of shredded Colby Jack cheese, and 4 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Stir continuously until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Add the cooked and drained elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the macaroni is evenly coated with the rich cheese sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Evenly sprinkle the additional 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 4 ounces of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Easy Mac & Cheese
For the Macaroni
- as needed salt, for boiling pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 stick butter, (4 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Topping
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. Add the 1 pound of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the macaroni thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Add the 1/2 cup of flour to the melted butter. Whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a smooth roux.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Slowly whisk in the 4 cups of whole milk, ensuring the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Stir in the 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Whisk until all the seasonings are well combined.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Reduce the heat to low. Add the 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 8 ounces of shredded Colby Jack cheese, and 4 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Stir continuously until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Add the cooked and drained elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the macaroni is evenly coated with the rich cheese sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Evenly sprinkle the additional 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 4 ounces of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375