Buttery Mac and Cheese Recipe
Buttery Mac and Cheese Recipe is a creamy, cheesy comfort food that everyone loves. This dish is rich, buttery and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika optional
- ½ cup extra shredded cheese for topping optional
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- Boil macaroni in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside in a colander.
Melt Butter
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Make sure it does not burn.
Add Flour
- Sprinkle flour over melted butter. Stir constantly for one to two minutes until smooth.
Add Milk Slowly
- Gradually add milk while stirring. Continue stirring to avoid lumps and create smooth sauce.
Cook Sauce
- Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly until it thickens and coats the spoon.
Add Cheese
- Add shredded cheddar cheese to sauce. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
Season Sauce
- Add salt, pepper and paprika if using. Stir to combine all flavors evenly.
Mix Pasta and Sauce
- Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce. Mix well so every piece is coated evenly.
Optional Baking
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Transfer mac and cheese to a baking dish. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
Bake
- Bake for 15 minutes until top is golden and bubbly. Remove from oven carefully.
Cool Slightly
- Let mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes. This helps sauce thicken slightly before serving.
Serve
- Scoop onto plates. Enjoy warm, creamy and cheesy mac and cheese.
Notes
- Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda for richer flavor.
- Stir sauce constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add cooked bacon or ham for a meaty twist.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for crispy baked mac and cheese.
- Add garlic powder or mustard powder for extra flavor.
- Use whole milk or cream for even creamier texture.
- Swap elbow macaroni for shells or cavatappi for different shapes.
- Top with fresh herbs like parsley for color and freshness.