Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that everyone loves, and for good reason. There’s just something about tender pasta coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce that makes it the ultimate comfort food. Sure, the boxed stuff is quick and easy, but nothing beats homemade mac and cheese. The flavor is deeper, the texture is silkier, and the whole dish feels extra special. For the best experience, try following this homemade mac and cheese recipe.
For me, the best mac and cheese is extra creamy, super cheesy, and topped with even more melted cheese. The secret to that smooth, velvety sauce? A simple roux made with butter, flour, and warm milk, combined with the perfect blend of cheeses. I like to mix cheddar for bold flavor and mozzarella for that gooey, melty goodness. A touch of seasoning brings everything together, making every bite better than the last.
And to make it even more irresistible, I love sprinkling extra cheddar and mozzarella on top before baking. It melts into a golden, bubbly layer that makes the dish even cheesier and more delicious.
At the end of the day, mac and cheese isn’t just food, it’s a little bowl of happiness. And once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to the box!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Quick & Easy: It’s simple to make and doesn’t require a lot of steps, so it’s perfect for any day.
- Creamy, Velvety Sauce: The sauce is rich and smooth, making each bite so comforting.
- Customizable: You can always add more cheese or adjust the spices to suit your taste.
- Warm & Cozy: It’s best served fresh, so you can enjoy it while it’s still hot and cheesy!
🧾Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this mac and cheese recipe:
- Elbow Macaroni: I use elbow macaroni because it’s the perfect shape for holding all that creamy cheese sauce. It’s sturdy and lets every bite be satisfying.
- Salted Butter: Butter is essential for giving the sauce that rich, smooth base. It adds flavor and helps everything come together perfectly.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour thickens the sauce, creating that velvety texture we all love in mac and cheese. Without it, the sauce would be too runny.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk makes the sauce creamy without being too heavy. It adds the right amount of moisture to balance the richness of the cheese.
- Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: I use cheddar for its sharp, bold flavor and mozzarella for its creamy, melty texture. Together, they create a perfectly rich and smooth cheese sauce.
- Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Nutmeg, & Paprika: This seasoning mix adds depth to the flavor. Salt enhances the taste, pepper adds a little heat, and garlic and onion powder bring savory notes. Nutmeg adds warmth and a cozy touch, while paprika gives a hint of smokiness and color to the dish.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Mac and Cheese
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Boil salted water, cook macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, 5-7 minutes.
4. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, and paprika. Stir well.
5. Reduce the heat, add cheddar and mozzarella, and stir until smooth.
6. Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
7. Place the macaroni in an oven-safe dish.
8. Top with extra cheese, cover, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes more.
🍽 What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
When I serve mac and cheese, I like to add something crunchy, fresh, or full of flavor to balance the creamy cheese. Garlic bread is a favorite for scooping up the sauce, while a fresh salad like tomato burrata salad or marinated tomato helps lighten things up. For protein, rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breast, or BBQ chicken thighs pair perfectly. If I want something extra fun, fried chicken or butternut squash soup makes a cozy combo. To end on a sweet note, a simple dessert like warm brownies, lemon mousse, or vanilla ice cream is the perfect finish. No matter what, mac and cheese is always the star of the meal!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Shred your own cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother and makes the sauce extra creamy. Pre-shredded cheese has added starch that can make it grainy.
Cook the pasta just right: Don’t overcook it! Keep it al dente (firm but not mushy) so it holds up well in the cheese sauce.
Season well: Cheese alone isn’t enough! A mix of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of nutmeg makes all the difference in flavor.
Keep the heat low when adding cheese: High heat can make cheese clump or turn grainy. Melt it slowly on low heat for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
Storage: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
🍝More Pasta Recipes to Try!
If you love this mac and cheese, you'll enjoy these delicious pasta recipes too!:
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Pasta alla norma (Eggplant Pasta)
- Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Fettuccine
- Apple Macaroni
- Pasta Salad
🍛More Comfort Food Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite comfort food recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g Elbow Macaroni
- 2 tablespoon Salted Butter
- 2 tablespoon All purpose Flour
- 500 ml Whole Milk
- 200 g Cheddar Cheese
- 200 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk continuously for about 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, and paprika to the sauce. Stir well to incorporate the flavors.
- Lower the heat and add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until fully coated.
- Place the macaroni in an oven-safe dish, sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top, and bake in a preheated oven at 175°C/ 350°F for 25 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This homemade mac and cheese is absolutely incredible! So creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, definitely a new favorite.