Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe
This creamy mac and cheese is rich, cheesy, and easy to make. With a smooth, velvety sauce, it’s the perfect side or main dish for any meal!
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 730kcal
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 pound macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, and spread foil inside a large cookie sheet for the dish to sit in.
- Grate all the cheese into a large bowl. Remove three cups of cheese to another bowl and set aside. This is for the sauce.
- Melt butter completely in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. (I use the same stockpot in which I cooked the noodles.) Slowly whisk in flour until smooth.
- Cook, whisking continuously, for about two minutes. Slowly whisk in half-and-half and milk and whisk continuously for 8-10 minutes until thickened.
- Remove pot from heat. Stir in salt and pepper. Stir in three cups of grated cheese and continue stirring until cheese is completely melted and sauce is creamy.
- Add cooked macaroni noodles to the cheese sauce and mix well, until noodles are incorporated into sauce. Slowly mix 1 1/2 cups grated cheese into the noodles. Pour noodles and cheese sauce into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese on top of the noodles. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes to develop a nice, browned, crusty top. Let the macaroni and cheese sit for 10-15 minutes and blot the top with paper towels if needed.
Notes
- Use good quality cheese. I like Tillamook or Cabot cheese.
- Cook the noodles before you start the sauce.
- Have all the cheese grated, separated, and ready before you start the sauce.
- Don't rush the cheese sauce. Allow the sauce to thicken slowly, which usually takes 7-9 minutes.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest uncovered for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Blot the top of the baked mac and cheese with paper towels if needed before serving.
