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Bowl of simple mac and cheese with creamy cheddar sauce coating elbow macaroni

Simple Mac And Cheese

A creamy, from-scratch stovetop mac and cheese made with a quick roux-based cheddar sauce and elbow macaroni. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 1 cup mild cheddar or American cheese optional, for extra creaminess
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 pinch dry mustard powder optional
  • 1 pinch nutmeg optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large saucepan or Dutch oven
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside. Do not rinse the pasta.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until you have a smooth, pale roux that smells lightly nutty.
  3. Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue stirring over medium heat until the sauce thickens and gently simmers, about 5 to 7 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Remove the pan from heat. Add all the cheese, salt, pepper, and optional seasonings. Stir until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Removing from heat prevents the cheese from breaking.
  5. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until every piece is evenly coated. Serve immediately for the creamiest results.

Notes

Always grate cheese fresh from the block for the smoothest sauce. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent a greasy or broken sauce. Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk over low heat on the stovetop.