{"id":315799,"date":"2025-11-24T14:43:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/budget-food\/homemade-mac-and-cheese-easy-and-cheesy\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T14:43:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:43:03","slug":"homemade-mac-and-cheese-easy-and-cheesy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=315799","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Mac and Cheese (Easy and Cheesy!)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If there\u2019s one recipe that all cooks need to have under their belt, it\u2019s a classic Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe. Straight-up creamy, comforting, cheesy goodness! This classic stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe is made with a simple, budget-friendly roux-based cheese sauce and plenty <\/em>of seasonings that will satisfy all of your cheesy pasta cravings. It\u2019s amazingly delicious on its own, straight off the stovetop, and I included a list of fun add-ins and other ways you can make it your own.<\/p>\n

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All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen<\/a> to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cI have tried so many Mac and cheese recipes and my kids haven\u2019t liked a single one. I gave this one a try tonight and they all came back for seconds. We will definitely be adding it to our recipe book.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jillian<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Cheesy Homemade Mac and Cheese<\/h2>\n

For this extra cheesy<\/em> homemade mac and cheese recipe, I used slightly more roux, lots of seasonings, and added about 30% more cheese than I generally do to my simple stovetop macaroni and cheese recipes. The thicker sauce and extra cheese made this recipe so lusciously creamy and cheesy that I couldn\u2019t stop sneaking forkfuls between photographs. AND the best part is that it even stays smooth and creamy when reheated in the microwave. Mac and cheese heaven! \ud83d\ude4c , We also have instructions for baked mac and cheese<\/a> in the recipe card if you want to give that a try!<\/p>\n

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  1. Cheddar is probably the best cheese for macaroni and cheese, with sharp cheddar providing the most pronounced flavor.\u00a0<\/strong>But feel free to mix things up! Sometimes I\u2019ll pair the cheddar with one or two of these if I have them: Parmesan, Gruyere, smoked gouda, chevre, cream cheese, brie, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.<\/li>\n
  2. Use block cheese for the creamiest sauce.<\/strong> Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly, which is the biggest reason mac and cheese turns grainy. Shredding it yourself takes a minute but makes all the difference.<\/li>\n
  3. Keep the roux-to-milk ratio steady.<\/strong> Using 3 tablespoons each of butter and flour to 2 cups of milk gives you a dependable base (a roux) that thickens in about 5 minutes. Heat is what activates the roux, so be patient during this step!<\/li>\n
  4. Add the milk slowly.<\/strong> I pour in a little at a time and whisk until it thickens before adding more. This quick step keeps the sauce silky and helps it thicken faster.<\/li>\n
  5. Turn off the heat before adding cheese.<\/strong> Add it by the handful and whisk until it melts. If it cools too much, warm it gently on low. Keeping it below a simmer (do not let it boil!) prevents the cheese from separating or becoming grainy.<\/li>\n
  6. As the noodles sit in the sauce, they will absorb and thicken it. <\/strong>Add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency if needed.<\/li>\n
  7. Use the stovetop method for an easy win.<\/strong> The sauce comes together in one pot while the pasta cooks, so you can have dinner on the table in about 20\u201325 minutes. It\u2019s quick, easy, and doesn\u2019t call for any extra steps unless you want<\/em> to bake it, of course!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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    Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe<\/h2>\n

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    \n Cost <\/span>$3.51 recipe \/ $0.88 serving<\/span>
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    This incredibly creamy and cheesy homemade mac and cheese recipe features an easy cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, milk, and butter.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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