Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsHeronsMacaroni And Cheese Recipe

Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Inspired by Herons
Time30m
Serves4

Make Macaroni And Cheese Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Topping (Optional)

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.

  2. 2

    Cook Pasta

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

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

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

Making the Cheese Sauce

  1. 4

    Melt Butter

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

  2. 5

    Add Flour

    Once the butter is melted, whisk in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour until smooth, creating a roux. Cook for about 1-2 minutes.

  3. 6

    Add Milk

    Slowly pour in 2 cups of milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

  4. 7

    Add Cheese and Seasoning

    Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.

Combining and Serving

  1. 8

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is well coated.

  2. 9

    Optional Topping

    If desired, mix 0.5 cup of breadcrumbs and 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese together in a bowl. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.

  3. 10

    Bake (Optional)

    For a crispy topping, transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish and broil in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

  4. 11

    Serve

    Serve hot and enjoy your homemade macaroni and cheese!

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