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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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
Does this call for salted or unsalted butter?
You can use either one 🙂
Will this stay smooth on a crockpot for a party?
Is that 1/2 lb cooked or uncooked?
Hi Stephany, Uncooked. Step 1 of the recipe will tell you to cook the macaroni according to your package instructions. :)Amanda
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.
Hi there!! Thank you so much for the kind review!! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe :)Amanda
Can this be made a day in advance?
Yes 🙂
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.
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
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!
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.
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
Thank you Jamie!! I’m so happy you and your husband loved it! :)Amanda
Yum! Really good and easy. Thank you!
Hi Katie! Thank you for the review. I’m so happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Very easy to make and it tasted delicious
Hi Genise! Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Would unsweetened almond milk work in this?
Hi Hannah! It may give it a slightly different flavor but should be just fine! :)Amanda
I used the unsweetened almond milk and it’s STILL good!!
This may be a silly question, but what kind of mustard? Dry mustard, yellow mustard, Dijon? First timer over here! Thanks in advance!
Hi J! Regular yellow mustard works best in this recipe, but you can also use dijon or stone ground mustard as well. 🙂
the PERFECT mac n cheese!! So simple and delish.