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This article shares the best mac and cheese recipe with creamy texture from a cheddar gouda blend and roux method. It lists key ingredients like elbow macaroni whole milk and fresh grated cheese. Step-by-step guide covers stovetop cooking and baking. Tips include add-ins like bacon or truffle oil plus variations such as lobster or buffalo chicken for elevated flavors.
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
What makes this the best mac and cheese recipe? | Folks love it for creamy texture cheese blend of sharp cheddar and gouda roux method and al dente pasta that bakes golden. |
What are the key ingredients? | You need 1 lb elbow macaroni 1/2 cup butter 4 cups whole milk and 3.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar gouda parmesan. |
How do you cook it step by step? | Boil pasta al dente make roux with butter flour and milk stir in cheeses mix with pasta then bake optional at 350F for 20 min. |
What tips elevate the recipe? | Add bacon smoked paprika or panko breadcrumbs undercook pasta and grate cheese fresh for better results. |
What baked variations exist? | Try truffle oil lobster chunks buffalo chicken or BBQ pulled pork folded into the mix before baking. |
What makes this the best mac and cheese recipe.
Folks love this best mac and cheese recipe cuz it nails creamy texture every time.
Chefs swear by the cheese blend of cheddar sharp cheddar and gouda for max flavor.
No lumps in sauce thanks to roux method.
Pasta cooks just right al dente then bakes golden.
- Uses elbow macaroni best shape holds sauce.
- Real butter milk no fake stuff.
- Breadcrumbs top adds crunch optional.
- Serves 6-8 big portions family style.
Tested in home kitchens 2025 updated tips.
Beats boxed mixes hands down.
Check this top pick for more inspo.
Key ingredients for perfect creamy mac and cheese.
Grab these ingredients for the best mac and cheese recipe that stays creamy.
Elbow macaroni holds sauce best 1 lb dry.
Butter unsalted 1/2 cup builds rich roux.
Flour all-purpose 1/3 cup thickens without lumps.
Milk whole 4 cups makes velvety base.
Cheddar sharp shredded 2 cups melts smooth.
Gouda shredded 1 cup adds nutty depth.
Parmesan grated 1/2 cup boosts umami.
Mustard powder 1 tsp secret flavor kick.
Salt pepper to taste seasons right.
Ingredient | Amount | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
Elbow macaroni | 1 lb | Grips cheese sauce perfect |
Butter | 1/2 cup | Rich base no skimping |
Sharp cheddar | 2 cups | Melts creamy tang |
Whole milk | 4 cups | Smooth thick sauce |
Fresh grate cheese avoids wax coating blocks.
Skip pre-shredded for best mac and cheese recipe results.
Step-by-step guide to cook the best mac and cheese.
Follow these steps for the best mac and cheese recipe stovetop style first.
- Boil 1 lb elbow macaroni in salted water 6-7 min al dente drain save 1 cup pasta water.
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in pot over med heat add 1/3 cup flour whisk 2 min roux forms no lumps.
- Slowly pour 4 cups whole milk whisk constant til thickens 5 min.
- Stir in 2 cups sharp cheddar 1 cup gouda 1/2 cup parmesan 1 tsp mustard powder til smooth melts.
- Mix drained pasta into cheese sauce add pasta water if too thick season salt pepper.
- Serve hot or transfer to baking dish top breadcrumbs bake 350F 20 min golden.
Whisk fast avoids lumps key to best mac and cheese recipe.
Use fresh pasta water thins sauce perfect.
See how-to guide for video tips.
Tips to elevate your mac and cheese recipe.
These tips boost your best mac and cheese recipe big time.
Add bacon bits fry crisp mix in for smoky crunch.
Sprinkle smoked paprika 1/2 tsp in sauce amps flavor.
Swap half milk for evaporated milk super creamy no watery sauce.
Mix cheeses try fontina or american melts better.
Top panko breadcrumbs mixed butter bake extra golden.
- Undercook pasta stops mushy texture.
- Grate cheese fresh blocks over bags.
- Add hot sauce dash cayenne heat lovers.
- Broil last 2 min bubbly top.
- Make vegan cashew cream sub cheese.
Avoid overcook sauce separates ruins best mac and cheese recipe.
Try baked version for crowd pleaser.
Baked mac and cheese variations for extra cheesiness.
Take your best mac and cheese recipe to oven for baked versions.
Prep sauce pasta mix pour 9x13 dish top cheese bake 375F 25 min bubbly.
Classic breadcrumb top melt butter mix panko sprinkle bake golden crunch.
Truffle baked mac and cheese.
Drizzle truffle oil 1 tbsp into sauce before baking luxury twist.
Lobster mac and cheese bake.
Fold 1 lb cooked lobster chunks into pasta bake seafood delight.
Buffalo chicken variation.
Shred 2 cups rotisserie chicken toss buffalo sauce mix bake spicy kick.
- BBQ pulled pork 1 cup smoky sweet bake.
- Veggie loaded broccoli peas bake 10 min first.
- Three cheese extra mozzarella ricotta bake stretchy pull.
- Cajun spice 1 tbsp heat lovers bake.
Rest 5 min post bake sets perfect slice.
Boosts cheesiness doubles cheese top melts slow.
Feeds crowds best mac and cheese recipe upgrade.