Description
Enjoy creamy, cheesy comfort food in under an hour with this quick baked mac and cheese recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy recipe delivers all the classic flavors without the fuss. Simple ingredients and foolproof instructions make this a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Breadcrumbs for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- In a large pot or baking dish, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth.
- Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until sauce thickens (5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- If using a pot, pour cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir. If sauce is in the pot, transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour mixture into baking dish. Stir until well combined. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Cook macaroni al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting.
- Customize with bacon, vegetables, or different cheeses.
- Add a breadcrumb topping for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, quick mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese recipe, cheese sauce, comfort food, weeknight dinner, pasta bake