If there’s one dish that defines pure comfort food, that’s mac and cheese, a creamy and golden delight that’s simple to make and always a good option for dinners or a cozy night at home. Here, I’ll share with you the best mac and cheese recipe I’ve tried. Let’s get to it.
What you’ll need before starting
Make sure you have everything ready for a smooth cooking process. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pasta: Go for the classic elbow macaroni or experiment with cavatappi or shells.
- Butter and flour: Essential ingredients for making the perfect cheese sauce.
- Seasonings: Dry mustard, grated nutmeg, black pepper, and a hint of cayenne pepper.
- Onion: It’s a little non-traditional but adds a rich taste that blends seamlessly into the sauce.
- Milk and heavy cream: For that creamy béchamel sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: A Southern twist that gives a subtle umami kick.
- Cheese: The star of the dish! We’re using extra-sharp yellow Cheddar and sharp white Cheddar, shredded and diced for melty perfection.
Steps to an unforgettable mac and cheese
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Trust me, this dish is going to need the room.
- Cook the pasta: Boil your pasta in salted water until it’s al dente (about 4-5 minutes). Remember, the pasta will cook more in the oven, so slightly undercooked is perfect. Drain and set aside.
- Make the béchamel sauce: In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add grated onion, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Stir for about 30 seconds to release the flavors. Then, add flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes until it’s golden.
- Add milk and cream: Gradually add 3 ½ cups of milk and 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream. Bring it to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.
- Add cheese to the sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in ¾ cup each of shredded yellow and white Cheddar until melted. The rest will be used for a cheesy topping.
- Combine and transfer to baking dish: Stir the cooked pasta and diced cheese cubes into the sauce. Transfer everything to your greased baking dish, and sprinkle with the reserved shredded cheeses.
- Bake to perfection: Bake for 30 minutes on a rimmed baking sheet until bubbly and golden. Then, broil for about 2 minutes to get that irresistible crispy cheese crust. Let it cool for 15 minutes.
And there you have it. Here’s the recipe for the best homemade mac and cheese you’ll ever have, with a creamy and rich sensation in every bite. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try adding bacon bits or a crunchy panko topping to the mix. Ready to taste an unforgettable mac and cheese? Go ahead and try out this recipe.