How to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese - A Step-by-Step Guide

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that never fails to satisfy. Whether you're craving a warm and gooey dish for a cozy night in or you want to impress your friends and family with a delicious homemade meal, macaroni and cheese is always a great go-to option. Making homemade macaroni and cheese is not only simple and budget-friendly, but it also allows you to customize the flavors and ingredients to your liking. With just a few simple steps, you can create a creamy and indulgent ma...

Read more Snack recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 3 ½ cups milk
  • 1 (8 ounce) package sharp white Cheddar cheese (such as Cracker Barrel), shredded
  • ½ (8 ounce) package processed cheese (such as Velveeta®), cubed
  • 1 cup bread crumbs, or as needed
  • 1 pinch paprika, or to taste (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt, and dry mustard and mix well. Return to heat; pour in milk, stirring constantly until mixture is simmering, thick, and smooth. Add white Cheddar cheese and processed cheese; stir occasionally until melted.
  • Pour cooked macaroni into a large baking dish, followed by sauce. Stir to combine. Top with bread crumbs. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    541 cal.

    • Total Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 13g
    • Cholesterol: 64mg
    • Sodium: 829mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 61g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 8g
    • Protein: 23g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 447mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 389mg