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Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe Easy Extra Rich and Velvety

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A quick and easy homemade mac and cheese recipe that is extra rich, velvety smooth, and perfectly cheesy. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting crowd-pleaser made with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside. Save a cup of pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until smooth and golden.
  3. Slowly pour in 2 cups warmed whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional), and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional). Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Remove saucepan from heat and gradually stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water or milk if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat every noodle evenly.
  7. Serve immediately warm. For a baked version, transfer to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle extra cheese and breadcrumbs on top, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

Shred your own cheese for smoother melting and avoid pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents. Warm milk and cream before adding to prevent clumping. Stir cheese in gradually off heat to avoid graininess. Save pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. For baked mac and cheese, add breadcrumbs and extra cheese on top and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, cheddar cheese, Gruyère, quick recipe

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/creamy-homemade-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-extra-rich-and-velvety/