Table of Contents
This guide shares the best simple mac and cheese recipe with basic ingredients, easy steps for creamy sauce, baked and gourmet twists, pro tips to avoid mistakes, and storage tips for leftovers.
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
What main ingredients make the best simple mac and cheese recipe? | Use 8 oz elbow macaroni, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 2 cups whole milk, and 2 cups fresh shredded sharp cheddar. |
How do you make the creamy sauce? | Cook a roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk until thick, then melt cheese on low heat. |
What are popular variations? | Bake with breadcrumbs for crisp top, add lobster for gourmet, or swap cauliflower for healthier version. |
How do you store and reheat leftovers? | Fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for 2 months, reheat with milk on stovetop or microwave. |
What common mistake ruins the recipe? | Using pre-shredded cheese leads to clumpy sauce, so grate fresh instead. |
Grab these basic ingredients for the best simple mac and cheese recipe.
Stock up on these items for the best simple mac and cheese recipe that serves 4.
Essential Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta like shells
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese fresh grated not pre-shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder or Dijon mustard
- Pinch of nutmeg optional
Optional Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs for topping
- 1 egg for custard texture
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese for extra creaminess
- Cooked bacon or ham bits
- Hot sauce for spice
- Steamed veggies like broccoli
Fresh shredded cheese melts best in this simple mac and cheese recipe.
Whole milk gives creamy sauce skip low-fat versions.
Cook pasta and make creamy sauce with these easy steps.
Step 1 Cook the Pasta
- Boil large pot of salted water.
- Add 8 oz elbow macaroni cook al dente 1 min less than package.
- Drain reserve 1/2 cup pasta water set pasta aside.
Step 2 Make the Roux Base
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in same pot over medium heat.
- Whisk in 2 tbsp flour cook 2-3 min till golden.
- Slowly add 2 cups whole milk whisk to avoid lumps.
- Cook 3-5 min till sauce thickens coats spoon.
Step 3 Add Cheese
- Lower heat to low stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar till melted.
- Mix in 1/2 cup Parmesan mustard powder salt pepper nutmeg.
- Add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if too thick.
Step 4 Combine and Optional Bake
- Stir cooked pasta into sauce coat evenly.
- For baked version transfer to greased 9x13 dish top with buttered breadcrumbs bake 375F 15-20 min.
- Rest 5 min serve hot.
This method gives creamy sauce in best simple mac and cheese recipe.
Whisk constantly prevents lumps.
Add twists like baked or gourmet versions to your mac and cheese.
Baked Versions
- Southern baked mac and cheese add 1 egg and 1/2 cup cottage cheese for custard texture top with breadcrumbs bake till golden.
- Classic baked transfer stovetop mix to dish sprinkle buttered crumbs bake 375F 20 min for crispy top.
Check our best baked mac and cheese recipe for more ideas.
Gourmet Twists
- Lobster mac and cheese stir in cooked lobster splash white wine for luxury.
- Buffalo chicken version mix shredded buffalo chicken blue cheese crumbles.
- Truffle mac drizzle truffle oil top crispy prosciutto.
Try the best lobster mac and cheese recipe ever.
Healthier Options
- Cauliflower mac swap half pasta for steamed cauliflower florets.
- Vegan mac use cashew cheese sauce nutritional yeast.
- Gluten-free mac pick gluten-free pasta use cornstarch roux.
Adapt this best simple mac and cheese recipe easily.
Start with base add-ins keep it creamy.
Use pro tips to avoid mistakes and get perfect results.
Pro Tips
- Grate cheese fresh pre-shredded has additives blocks smooth melt.
- Cook pasta al dente holds shape in sauce.
- Cook roux golden whisk constant no raw flour taste.
- Add cheese low heat prevents grainy texture.
- Mix cheeses sharp cheddar flavor Parmesan depth.
- Splash pasta water thins sauce smooths it out.
- Rest 5 min sauce sets creamier bite.
Common Mistakes to Skip
- No pre-shredded cheese clumpy sauce ruins best simple mac and cheese recipe.
- Dont overcook pasta mushy mess.
- Never skip roux sauce separates thin.
- Add cheese slow not fast breaks emulsion.
- Season well cheese needs salt pop.
Follow these nail perfect creamy mac and cheese.
See our best homemade mac and cheese recipe for more.
Store and reheat leftovers for more cheesy goodness.
Storage Guide
Method | Duration | Tips |
|---|---|---|
Fridge | 3-4 days | Airtight container cools fast |
Freezer | 2 months | Portion in bags thaw overnight |
Reheating Methods
- Microwave add splash milk heat 30-sec bursts stir often.
- Oven bake 350F 15-20 min covered foil adds milk if dry.
- Stovetop warm low heat stir milk till creamy.
These steps keep best simple mac and cheese recipe tasting fresh.
Milk restores sauce moisture avoids dryness.