Mac & Cheese Recipe
Make Mac & Cheese Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (Optional)
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes.
- 2
Drain the pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- 3
- 4
Add flour
Once the butter is melted, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux. It should be slightly bubbly and golden.
- 5
Add milk
Slowly pour in 2 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- 6
Add cheeses
Remove the pot from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 4 ounces of cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- 7
Season the sauce
Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of paprika. Stir well to combine.
Combining Ingredients
- 8
Mix pasta with cheese sauce
Add the drained pasta back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir until all the pasta is evenly coated.
Optional Topping
- 9
Prepare topping
If desired, mix 0.5 cups of breadcrumbs with 0.5 cups of grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- 10
Bake the mac & cheese
Transfer the mac & cheese into a baking dish, sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Serving
- 11
Serve
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade mac & cheese!
