Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

Mac and Cheese Recipe, an American classic comfort food which is one of the popular and most loved recipe all over the world. Each and everyone has their own version of making mac and cheese and this is my recipe that is a family favorite. Delicious Macaroni and cheese is made with pasta, cheese, milk, butter and spices to create the most creamy mac and cheese. For variation, transfer it to baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs & cheese, bake for crispy top. Learn how to make the Best mac and cheese with step by step pictures and video and enjoy with garlic bread and broccoli and cheese.

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Mac and Cheese Recipe

Who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese, I love it all time. There is something in that which makes me feel happy. Mac and cheese is one dish that is easily customisable, you can transform into any which way you prefer. This recipe is a stove top mac and cheese recipe with the creamiest sauce ever.

About Mac and Cheese Recipe

Macaroni and cheese, also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom, is a dish that consists of cooked macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, most commonly Cheddar sauce.

In this recipe post I have shared an everyday mac and cheese and a baked mac and cheese. In our house we always fight for the top crusty part of the baked mac and cheese because it is so delicious. Some of other favorite recipes we love to enjoy is this keema macaroni and Korean corn and cheese.

Mac and cheese is one dish that can be easily customised to your taste and preference. You can add cooked chicken, sauted vegetables, mushrooms, seared lobster to transform this humble dish to next level.

Similar Pasta Recipes

Alfredo Pasta

Italian Pasta

Mushroom Pasta

Watch Mac and Cheese Video

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

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Macaroni- Macaroni is a type of dry pasta that is shaped like narrow tubes. Made from durum wheat, macaroni is typically cut in short lengths; curved macaroni is known as elbow macaroni. Some home machines can make macaroni shapes, but macaroni is typically made commercially by large-scale extrusion, as is most pasta.

Onions & Garlic- Even though onions and garlic are optional in making mac and cheese. It adds a pungent flavour, you can use garlic powder or garlic granules which makes it ideal for seasoning dishes.

Cheese- Grate cheese in a grater which easily melt into the sauce. I prefer to use cheddar cheese or processed American cheese which melts into smooth consistency than mozzarella.

Milk - full fat milk is preferred because it adds richness to the dish. But you can use low fat milk of choice.

Butter - butter not only adds flavour but helps make the white sauce flavourful.

Breadcrumbs - breadcrumbs mixed with butter is sprinkled over mac and cheese along with some grated cheese and baked till crispy.

Optional - curry powder, green chillies, pesto, or any spice or herbs of choice can be used. I have used oregano, ground mustard, basil in this.

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2 Methods for Making Mac and Cheese Recipe

Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Cook macaroni as per package directions. Heat butter in a pan and add in the flour. Cook for 1-2 mins. Slowly whisk in the cold milk till it gets smooth sauce. Add your favorite seasonings and garlic. Add in the cheese and switch off the flame. Tip in the cooked macaroni, mix and serve. This stove top mac and cheese has to be served immediately to enjoy the cheesy goodness.,

Baked Mac and Cheese

For baking mac and cheese. Prepare macaroni as mentioned above or in any variations mentioned below. Pour it into a baking tray. Top with breadcrumbs, cheese and bake in a 180 degree C preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until cheesy and bubbly.

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How to Make Mac and Cheese Recipe (Stepwise pictures)

Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Cooking Pasta

1)Bring water to a full boil. Add in a generous amount of salt. Once the water starts to boil, add in the dry macaroni pasta. Cook pasta as per package directions. It will take around 7 to 8 minutes.

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Making Cheese Sauce

2)Heat butter in a large cooking pot. Add in all purpose flour into the melted butter. For every 2 tbsp of butter you have to use 2 tbsp of plain flour.

Pro Tip: Instead of plain flour (maida) you can use wheat flour for healthier alternative.

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3)Stir fry the flour into the butter and cook for 1 to 2 minute on low flame. Cook till the raw smell leaves from the flour.

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4)Pour in cold milk slowly into the flour and butter roux. Keep mixing it using a hand whisk till it gets smooth and creamy.

Pro Tip: Using cold milk makes the white sauce lump free and smooth.

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5)Now for flavouring, I am using chopped garlic, dried oregano and dried basil.

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6)Add in ground mustard which is optional. For making ground mustard, take 1 tsp of mustard seeds in a mortar and pestle and crush them. Now Add in grated cheese and mix well.

Pro tip: use cheddar or processed American cheese for creaminess.

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7)Mac and cheese sauce ready.

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Adding in Cooked pasta

8)Now add in cooked macaroni and mix well. Thats it, your creamy mac and cheese is ready to serve.

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9)Enjoy mac and cheese hot.

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

Once you prepare Mac and cheese, you can serve it as it is or transform it into a baking dish, sprinkle top with some breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake till bubbly and cheesy. This is a extra step but makes a delicious baked mac and cheese with crusty and cheese exterior.

In this version of mac and cheese, I used chopped onions, curry powder and green chillies for flavour.

Ingredients used

• 1 cup Macaroni
• 2 tbsp Plain Flour
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 300 ml Milk
• ½ cup + ½ cup Cheddar Cheese grated
• ½ cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 Onion chopped finely
• 1 Green chilli optional
• 2 tsp Curry Powder
• Salt & Black Pepper to taste

How to make baked mac and cheese

Making curried mac and cheese sauce

1)Heat butter in a kadai. Add in chopped onions, green chillies and saute for 2 minute. Add in curry powder into the sauted onion and mix well.

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2)Add in plain flour and stir fry with the onion mixture till raw smell leaves from it.

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3)Pour milk slowly while mixing constantly. The sauce will thicken and gets a yellow shade from the curry powder.

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4)Add in grated cheese, salt and pepper and mix well. Your curried mac and cheese sauce is ready.

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Baking Mac and cheese

5)Add in cooked macaroni and mix well with the sauce. You can serve the mac and cheese as it is for cheesy goodness.

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6)For baking mac and cheese. Transform the mac and cheese into a baking dish, sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and more cheese.

Place the baking tray into a 180 degree C preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes till golden brown.

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7)Baked mac and cheese ready to serve.

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Variations

1)Lobster Mac & Cheese - Stir in 1 poached or seared lobster meat into the pasta.

2)Spicy version - add in 3 tbsp of sriracha or any hot sauce into the mac and cheese.

3)Broccoli & Cheese - add in cooked broccoli florets and extra 1 cup of cheddar cheese for flavour.

4)Vegetable Loaded - add in sauted chopped carrots, green beans, cauliflower, into the pasta.

5)Chicken Mac and Cheese - add in cooked cubed chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken into the pasta.

6)Pesto mac and cheese - If you love pesto flavour, add ½ cup of pesto into the mac and cheese sauce and mix well. Add in cooked macaroni and mix well. Now you can serve it as it is or pour the pesto mac and cheese in a baking dish.

For Topping, mix 1 tbsp pesto with ½ cup breadcrumbs and ½ cup grated cheese. Sprinkle this over pasta and bake in a 180 degree C oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Your pesto mac and cheese is ready to serve.

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Expert Tips

• Instead of macaroni, you can use any shaped pasta.
• Any flavourings and spices can be used in the white sauce.
• Instead of cheddar cheese, you can use grated mozzarella cheese or processed American cheese.
• Any vegetables can be used. Make sure you saute them in a tbsp of olive oil before using. You can use cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, green peas and green beans can be used.
• Add cooked cubed chicken or shredded chicken into the sauce.

Make Ahead & Storage

If you are planning to bring this to any party or gatherings. I recommend you to try the baked mac and cheese. You can prepare mac and cheese as mentioned. Transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and cheese. Cover with foil and store in fridge till needed. When ready to serve, pop it into a preheated oven and bake till bubbly and golden.

Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an air tight container in fridge. Reheat in microwave with a extra splash of milk if it is too dry.

FAQ

Is mac n cheese healthy?

Mac and cheese should be consumed in moderation or as an occasional treat as part of a healthy diet. Macaroni and cheese is high in calories, with 300-500 calories per serving.

What seasoning is best for mac and cheese?

Oregano, basil, and marjoram are delicious additions to traditional mac and cheese. Italian herbs go well with cheese and pasta, so adding them to mac and cheese makes sense.

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