THE EASIEST AND CHEESIEST MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE

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.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Boil water in a large pot and add elbow macaroni; cook until al dente.

Drain the macaroni and spread it out in a baking dish.

Coat the macaroni with salt and black pepper.

Melt 1 stick of butter and mix it into the hot macaroni.

Add a whole can of evaporated milk to the macaroni.

Add a bag of cheddar cheese and mix well, adding more milk if needed to make it creamier.

Layer more cheese on top of the macaroni.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, checking at 35 minutes.

Check for doneness by ensuring there is no milk at the bottom of the dish.

Broil for an additional 3 minutes to brown the top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens