Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - How to Make Mac & Cheese

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while processed cheese is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil provides healthier fats while margarine is a budget-friendly alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk is lower in calories, and a cornstarch mixture can mimic creaminess.

elbow macaroni

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: generic pasta

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber while generic options are often cheaper.

Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions in salted boiling water, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.

Once cooked, drain the macaroni and set aside.

Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.

Add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to the melted butter; cook for 30 seconds to release flavors.

Add all-purpose flour to the pan and whisk it in; cook for about a minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and allow it to brown slightly.

Gradually add whole milk and heavy cream to the mixture, stirring to combine; let the sauce simmer gently on medium heat until it begins to thicken.

Turn the heat down to low and gradually add half of the shredded cheese to the sauce, mixing until melted and smooth.

Once the cheese has melted, stop mixing and remove the sauce from the heat.

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well to combine.

Pour half of the macaroni and cheese mixture into a baking pan, then top with half of the remaining shredded cheese.

Add the rest of the macaroni mixture on top, followed by the remaining shredded cheese.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake the mac and cheese for 20 minutes.

For the last 3 minutes of baking, switch the oven to broiler setting to crisp and brown the top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens