Description
Creamy white cheddar mac and cheese delivers comfort on a plate, blending sharp tangy cheese with smooth pasta perfection. Homemade goodness brings warmth and satisfaction right to your fork, making you crave each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) elbow macaroni
- 2 ½ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 cup heavy cream
Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water and sprinkle salt, bringing it to a vigorous boil. Submerge macaroni and cook until tender yet firm, then carefully drain and reserve.
- Return the empty pot to medium heat, introducing butter which will melt smoothly. Incorporate flour, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a delicate golden roux with subtle bubbling edges.
- Gradually stream warm milk and cream into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent clumping. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, developing a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Reduce heat to low and introduce white cheddar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir persistently until cheese dissolves completely, creating a silky, uniform sauce with rich, complex flavors.
- Reunite the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, gently folding to ensure each pasta piece becomes lavishly coated. Warm briefly to meld flavors and achieve a harmonious, creamy texture ready for serving.
Notes
- Choose sharp white cheddar for a more intense, bold flavor that elevates the classic mac and cheese experience.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free pasta.
- Create a lighter version by using low-fat milk and reducing the amount of butter while maintaining the creamy texture.
- Add crispy bacon bits, caramelized onions, or roasted vegetables to introduce extra layers of flavor and nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg