Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Cafe Thirty-A›Mac And Cheese Recipe

Mac And Cheese Recipe

Inspired by Cafe Thirty-A
Time40m
Serves4

Creamy macaroni and cheese.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Cheese Sauce

Topping (optional)

Method

Cooking Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.

  2. 2

    Cook Macaroni

    Add 2 cups of macaroni to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

    Once cooked, drain the macaroni in a colander and set aside.

Making the Cheese Sauce

  1. 4

    Melt Butter

    In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

  2. 5

    Add Flour

    Once the butter is melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.

  3. 6

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

  4. 7

    Add Cheese and Seasoning

    Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of mustard powder until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Combining and Baking

  1. 8

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine until the pasta is well coated.

  2. 9

    Prepare Topping

    If using, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of paprika in a small bowl.

  3. 10

    Bake (optional)

    Pour the macaroni and cheese into a greased baking dish. Top with the breadcrumb mixture if using. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

  4. 11

    Serve

    Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve warm. Enjoy your creamy macaroni and cheese!

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