Description
A creamy, cheesy comfort food classic made with pantry staples. Perfect for quick dinners or indulgent sides, ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a mix of sharp cheddar and Gruyère for a gourmet twist.
- Add cooked bacon or ham for a protein boost.
- Stir in steamed broccoli or peas for added vegetables.
- Top with breadcrumbs and broil for a crispy finish.
- Add cream cheese or heavy cream for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg