How to Make Old School Mac n' Cheese - A Step-by-Step Guide

Old school mac n' cheese is a classic comfort food that never goes out of style. This creamy, cheesy dish is a favorite among both kids and adults, perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or just a cozy night in. With its rich, indulgent flavor and easy-to-follow recipe, old school mac n' cheese is a surefire way to satisfy your cravings and bring a smile to your face.

What sets old school mac n' cheese apart from the modern versions is its simplicity and time-tested ingredients. This ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ pounds whole-wheat macaroni
  • ¾ cup butter
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups milk, divided
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages shredded American cheese
  • 1 (8 ounce) bag potato chips (such as Lay's®), crushed
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • butter-flavored cooking spray

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Servings: 20
  • Yield: 20 servings

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour to butter, whisking constantly; cook until brown and the mixture no longer smells of flour, about 5 minutes. Pour 1 cup milk into the flour mixture, whisking continually until fully incorporated, about 45 seconds; repeat twice. Add remaining 3 cups milk to the mixture, whisking to incorporate. Stir Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper into the mixture; season with salt and black pepper.
  • Reduce heat to low. Cook sauce, whisking frequently, until it begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Add about half the package of shredded Cheddar cheese; stir continually until the cheese melts completely. Repeat with remaining half package of Cheddar cheese and the American cheese, about 4 ounces at a time. Once cheese is entirely incorporated, remove sauce from heat.
  • Stir drained macaroni into the cheese sauce to coat. Divide macaroni between two 9x13-inch baking dishes.
  • Mix crushed potato chips, 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Top the macaroni with the potato chip mixture evenly. Spray the potato chip mixture with cooking spray.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling, 35 to 45 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    507 cal.

    • Total Fat: 30g
    • Saturated Fat: 17g
    • Cholesterol: 76mg
    • Sodium: 783mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 40g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 5g
    • Protein: 22g
    • Vitamin C: 3mg
    • Calcium: 439mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 433mg