Homemade Mac and Cheese

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated September 29, 2021)

Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite meals. While it may seem silly, I actually am a huge fan of the macaroni and cheese from the box! The somewhat synthetic mac and cheese is pretty tasty if you are in that kind of mood, but nothing can really beat homemade anything, even homemade macaroni and cheese. My grandma would make me homemade macaroni and cheese and nothing could really compare: homemade cheese sauce, toasted breadcrumbs, a side of broccoli. It is seriously one of the best, most homey dinners ever.

Here is what you need to make the best homemade macaroni and cheese—the ingredients are so simple:

  • 1 to 1-1/2 cups of milk
  • 3 tablespoons of melted butter
  • 2 tablespoon of flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard mixed with water
  • Trace of nutmeg (optional)
  • As much cheese as possible, in whatever types you want
  • 1-1/2 cups of elbow macaroni noodles
  • Bread crumbs

Making your own homemade macaroni is pretty much one of the easiest things you could make. Start out by making the white sauce, which will be the base for your cheese sauce. If you already know how to make a white sauce (also known as a roux), then you can skip this next little part, but if you are like me and had no clue what a roux was—much less how to make it—then read on for sure. You need to know how to make a white sauce, not only for homemade macaroni and cheese, but also for many other more advanced recipes.

Start out making your white sauce by melting the butter in a pot, and once the butter is melted a bit, stir in the flour. Mix it thoroughly (without letting the butter or sauce burn). Once the butter and flour are well combined, add the milk and stir immediately. Keep stirring, and add a tablespoon or two more of flour, if needed. You want the consistency to be just shy of the consistency of gravy.

Once your roux is completed, you can add the cheese. It doesn't really matter if the cheese is cubed or grated or even whole, because it will all melt in the end anyway. The cheese will melt quickest, however, if it is grated. Usually, I don't have enough time to grate the cheese (or I just don't want to), so I cut the cheese into smaller chunks or cubes. Put the cheese, in whatever form, into the white sauce and keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted. Also, remember that you can use whatever cheeses you want—American, cheddar, Monterey jack, Colby jack, Swiss, Romano—anything you can afford. Once the cheese is adequately melted, turn the sauce temperature down to low or warm to wait until the noodles are ready.

Cook the noodles by simply pouring them into boiling water and allowing them to cook for about ten or fifteen minutes. Check to see if they are finished by tasting one: if the noodle is soft, then it's ready, and if it is still a little hard, then let it cook for a little longer. While your noodles are cooking, take your breadcrumbs and stir them in with some butter. Then put your breadcrumbs in the toaster and let them toast for a few minutes. Once the noodles are finished cooking, drain them and put them in a greased nine by thirteen pan. Go ahead and pour the cheese sauce on the noodles and top it off with breadcrumbs. Then just put it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for ten to fifteen minutes or until the dish is brown on the edges and bubbling. Serve as you would any other mac and cheese dish.

You've now just upped the quality of traditional macaroni and cheese and made it a meal instead of a midnight snack! This is a dish your family won't soon forget!

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Repairing Damaged Carpet

Just because you get a burn mark or worn area in your carpet doesn't mean you need to get new carpet. Here's some ideas ...

Discover More

Picking a Hairstyle that Works for You

Want to get a perm or maybe a bob or something that has more of a feathered look? How do you choose from all of the ...

Discover More

Commercial Kitchen Cleaning

To ensure the best food quality and service, a commercial kitchen must be properly cleaned and maintained. Each day, ...

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

Baked Chicken with Potatoes Au Gratin

Open a can of cranberry sauce to serve as a side dish with this delicious dinner. You could also provide a large dish of ...

Discover More

Goulash with Three Bean Salad and Potato Wedges

The Three Bean Salad is best served very cold. Make it a day ahead and allow it to chill overnight in the 'fridge. The ...

Discover More

French Bread Pizza

Pizza is a fantastic treat, and an easy meal that anyone can make. Here is a wonderful video demonstration of how to make ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five minus 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)