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Simple Mac and Cheese

January 31, 2020 By Amanda Cooks & Styles 26 Comments

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Simple Mac and Cheese – Super easy and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe. Making a delicious mac and cheese at home from scratch has never been easier! This is the perfect side dish recipe and also a fun kid friendly meal!

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simple mac and cheese

My simple and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe is my go-to when making mac and cheese! It’s a million times better than the boxed stuff and is so easy to make. This recipe is kid friendly and also super budget friendly.

We like to serve ours with homemade meatloaf, grilled burgers, pot roast, veggies and so much more. I will link a few of my favorite meals that pair perfectly with this mac and cheese for you below.

This recipe serves about four people. If you are cooking for a large crowd, simply double the recipe! Homemade mac and cheese also makes amazing leftovers. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to two days.

pinterest macaroni and cheese

Ingredients that go into making my Simple Mac and Cheese recipe:

Elbow Macaroni – You’ll need a half pound of uncooked macaroni.

Cheddar Cheese – I prefer sharp cheddar cheese but you can use your favorite cheddar cheese.

Parmesan Cheese – Fresh grated parmesan cheese is best, but you can use whatever you have on hand.

Milk – I used whole milk, but you can also use low fat or nut milk.

Butter – Salted or unsalted butter both work great.

Flour – All-purpose flour is best in this recipe.

Mustard – I used regular yellow mustard but you can also use dijon or spicy mustard.

Seasonings: Salt + Pepper + Paprika + Garlic Powder + Onion Powder

Tools to have on hand for this recipe:

  • Saucepans One for the sauce and one for boiling macaroni.
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups – To properly measure all of your ingredients.
  • Cooking Spoon – To stir your sauce and mac while it cooks.
  • Cheese Grater – If you are shredding cheese off a block.
  • Colander – To drain your macaroni after cooking.
creamy macaroni and cheese

How to make a simple macaroni and cheese at home from scratch:

Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, add the butter and slowly melt over low heat. Add flour to the melted butter and stir until well incorporated and mixture thickens.

Turn burner up to medium heat and slowly add the milk, about a half cup at a time. Continue to stir the sauce until it begins to lightly simmer and thicken. Then, add seasonings and mustard.

Remove sauce from heat and add the cheddar and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.

Pour macaroni into cheese sauce and stir to combine. Enjoy!

cheddar mac and cheese

Main courses to serve with my delicious homemade mac and cheese:

Chicken Tenders – Perfectly crunchy on the outside tender on the inside chicken tenders served with buffalo honey mustard and ranch dressing.

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs – Seasoned chicken thighs wrapped in thick cut bacon, basted in a sweet sauce and then grilled to crisp perfection.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken –  My super easy slow cooker (crockpot) bbq pulled chicken recipe is made with a delicious homemade sweet and slightly spicy barbecue sauce. 

Homemade Hand Dipped Corn Dogs – Perfectly sweet and crunchy homemade corn dogs just like Disneyland! 

Slow Cooked Tender London Broil – This London broil recipe is super easy and delicious. It is slightly sweet with tons of flavor that melts in your mouth.

parmesan mac and cheese

A few more macaroni recipes I think you’ll love:

Cheeseburger Macaroni – This is an absolutely delicious Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger “copycat” recipe. My take on the classic is even better and super easy to make! A kid friendly meal that is sure to satisfy the whole family!

Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese – This is the ultimate upgrade to your classic mac and cheese recipe made with spicy chipotle peppers and a buttery crunchy breadcrumb topping!

Creamy Macaroni Salad – Super creamy and delicious Classic American Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish for cookouts and picnics! Made with fresh peppers, onions, celery and pickle in a sweet creamy sauce.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese – The creamiest, cheesiest mac and cheese baked to a golden perfection! What could be better? This baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It goes great by itself or as a side dish!

Simple Mac and Cheese

Amanda Cooks & Styles
Super easy and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 lb. Elbow Macaroni
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 1 3/4 cups Milk
  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 2 tbsp Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Onion Powder

Instructions
 

  • Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, add the butter and slowly melt over low heat. Add flour to the melted butter and stir until well incorporated and mixture thickens.
  • Turn burner up to medium heat and slowly add the milk, about a half cup at a time. Continue to stir the sauce until it begins to lightly simmer and thicken. Then, add seasonings and mustard.
  • Remove sauce from heat and add the cheddar and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
  • Pour macaroni into cheese sauce and stir to combine. Enjoy!
Keyword best macaroni and cheese recipe, creamy mac and cheese, easy macaroni and cheese, simple mac and cheese
Tried this recipe?LET US KNOW how it was!

Filed Under: American, Kid Friendly Meals, Main Course, Pasta, Recipes, vegetarian Tagged With: creamy mac and cheese, easy macaroni and cheese, macaroni and cheese recipe, simple mac and cheese

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Comments

  1. Laura

    February 20, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. Easy and delicious. I just want to know if anyone thinks that the five minute prep time is actually doable! It takes me longer than that to gather the ingredients, not to mention grating the cheese! lol

    Reply
  2. Courtney

    November 23, 2022 at 9:13 am

    Does this call for salted or unsalted butter?

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      November 27, 2022 at 6:26 am

      You can use either one 🙂

      Reply
  3. Courtney

    November 11, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    Will this stay smooth on a crockpot for a party?

    Reply
  4. Stephany

    September 19, 2022 at 7:52 am

    Is that 1/2 lb cooked or uncooked?

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      September 19, 2022 at 9:32 am

      Hi Stephany, Uncooked. Step 1 of the recipe will tell you to cook the macaroni according to your package instructions. :)Amanda

      Reply
  5. PegP

    June 18, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe because my go-to recipe that I always use called for Velveeta, and I didn’t have any (and was too lazy to run to the store to get some more). I am glad I did. This is now my new go-to mac-n-cheese recipe. I was hesitant at first because it called for mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder and my kiddo is a super picky eater. But I put them in anyway. I didn’t add the paprika, but that was only because I forgot it.

    I loved this mac and cheese. I wanted seconds, and that’s not something I usually do. And my super picky eater said she really liked it and that she wants this same one next time I make mac and cheese.

    I’d give it 10 stars if I could. It’s super easy and really yummy. Added bonus is that you don’t have to heat up your oven to make it, which is always appreciated in the summer.

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      June 19, 2022 at 5:25 am

      Hi there!! Thank you so much for the kind review!! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe :)Amanda

      Reply
    • Lyndsy

      November 23, 2022 at 8:31 am

      Can this be made a day in advance?

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        November 27, 2022 at 6:27 am

        Yes 🙂

        Reply
  6. taylor

    January 21, 2022 at 11:41 am

    Can this recipe be frozen after cooking? I like to double recipes and stash one in the freezer for easy meals later in the month.

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      January 26, 2022 at 8:55 am

      Hi Taylor, You can freeze it. When reheating you will need to add a few tablespoons of milk to make it creamy again. Reheat over low heat on stove.:)Amanda

      Reply
  7. Michelle W.

    October 21, 2021 at 6:59 am

    5 stars
    I made this for the first time when my 7 year old niece came over for a play date. All we kept saying between mouthfuls was, “umm, SOO GOOD!”

    Super quick, easy and most importantly delicious!

    Reply
  8. B Kantorowicz

    October 9, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    My 4 year old granddaughter loves Mac & Cheese – she really likes this dish! I love that it’s fresh & not from a box! This is a keeper recipe.

    Reply
  9. Jamie D

    September 19, 2021 at 11:05 am

    Made this last nite for a dinner side. AWESOME! My husband Lived it! Without a lot of time to cook although I love to it’s nice to find a really good quick and easy recipe that doesn’t come out of a box! Thanks Amanda

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      September 20, 2021 at 6:16 am

      Thank you Jamie!! I’m so happy you and your husband loved it! :)Amanda

      Reply
  10. Katie

    August 14, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Really good and easy. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      August 19, 2021 at 7:27 am

      Hi Katie! Thank you for the review. I’m so happy you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  11. Genise

    April 20, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    5 stars
    Very easy to make and it tasted delicious

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      May 2, 2021 at 9:10 am

      Hi Genise! Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Hannah

    February 12, 2021 at 11:24 am

    Would unsweetened almond milk work in this?

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      February 12, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      Hi Hannah! It may give it a slightly different flavor but should be just fine! :)Amanda

      Reply
    • Brenda

      December 12, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      I used the unsweetened almond milk and it’s STILL good!!

      Reply
  13. J

    August 9, 2020 at 9:19 am

    This may be a silly question, but what kind of mustard? Dry mustard, yellow mustard, Dijon? First timer over here! Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Amanda Cooks & Styles

      August 9, 2020 at 9:22 am

      Hi J! Regular yellow mustard works best in this recipe, but you can also use dijon or stone ground mustard as well. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Ashley Estrada

    April 23, 2020 at 1:51 am

    5 stars
    the PERFECT mac n cheese!! So simple and delish.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Amanda! Here you will find simple, easy and delicious family friendly recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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