Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with THE Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe. This rich, velvety dish features perfectly cooked elbow macaroni enveloped in a luscious cheese sauce crafted from sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack. Topped with a satisfying crunch from breadcrumbs, this mac and cheese is ideal for cozy nights or festive gatherings. Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins, it promises to evoke childhood memories while delighting your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente (7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for one minute.
- Gradually add milk while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens (about 5 minutes).
- Lower heat and stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fold in the drained macaroni until well coated with the cheese sauce.
- For an optional crispy topping, transfer to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg