Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• 0.25 cup salted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups milk, or more as needed
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 0.5 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 pinch ground paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Gather all your ingredients for easy preparation.
2. For the macaroni and cheese, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Remember it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain well and transfer the cooked macaroni to the prepared baking dish.
3. While the macaroni is cooking, melt 1/4 cup of butter in a medium skillet over low heat. Whisk in the flour and stir continuously until the mixture forms a smooth, light golden-brown paste, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk 2 1/2 cups of milk into the flour mixture. Continue whisking until the mixture begins to simmer gently.
5. Stir in the shredded Cheddar cheese and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook and stir over low heat until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce has thickened to your liking, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add up to 1/2 cup of milk if the sauce is too thick.
6. Pour the luscious cheese sauce evenly over the cooked macaroni. Gently stir until the macaroni is thoroughly and evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
7. To prepare the bread crumb topping, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until they are evenly coated and nicely browned.
8. Evenly spread the golden bread crumbs over the macaroni and cheese mixture. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika for added color and flavor.
9. Bake in the preheated oven until the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the macaroni and cheese is bubbly and heated through, approximately 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 845 kcal
• Fat Content: 48 g
• Fiber Content: 3 g
• Sodium Content: 881 mg
• Protein Content: 37 g
• Cholesterol Content: 142 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 65 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 30 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g