Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ozelbow macaroni
uncooked
- 2 tbspsalted butter
- 2 tbspall-purpose flour
- ½ tspsea salt
- ¼ tspgarlic powder
- 1 cwhole milk
- ¼ csour cream
- 8 ozcheddar cheese
2 cups
Directions
- 1
Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Be sure to add ¼ tsp salt to the water used to boil the noodles. Drain, and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce:
- 1
Mix flour, sea salt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- 2
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- 3
Add flour mixture and whisk to combine.
- 4
Cook for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown.
- 5
Add 1 cup milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- 6
Add sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whisk until smooth.
- 7
Cook on medium-high heat until the mixture is thickened (about 3-5 minutes). Do not let it boil.
- 8
Once mixture is thick (sticks to the back of the spatula), reduce heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Taste and add more salt/seasoning if desired.
Assemble & serve
- 1
Add cooked pasta to the pot of cheese sauce and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed.
- 2
Let the mac and cheese cool for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese sauce has thickened a little bit and sticks to the noodles. Serve warm!
Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
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About this Recipe
Tired of bland boxed mac and cheese but short on time? This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe is your new weeknight hero, delivering irresistible creaminess in just 15 minutes. It’s time to ditch the box for a truly satisfying, homemade comfort food experience.
What sets this recipe apart is its incredible speed and simplicity. With just six key ingredients and a quick stovetop method, you can achieve that perfectly smooth, rich cheese sauce without ever turning on the oven. It’s designed to be effortlessly delicious, proving that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated.
Get ready for a bowl of pure comfort. Each bite of this mac and cheese is velvety smooth, with tender elbow macaroni coated in a rich, flavorful cheddar sauce. The optional hint of garlic powder elevates the classic taste, making it truly satisfying and addictive. You'll love how effortlessly this comes together, transforming simple pantry staples into a dish that tastes like it took hours, not minutes.
Customization & Variations
This recipe is designed for simplicity, but offers a few easy swaps. If you don't have sour cream, Greek yogurt makes an excellent substitute, providing a similar tang and creamy texture. The garlic powder is optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of savory flavor, so feel free to adjust to your taste preference.
This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese is ideal for a quick family dinner, a comforting lunch, or as a crowd-pleasing side dish at any gathering. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a little something warm and cozy.