Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Leone's›Mac-n-cheese Recipe

Mac-n-cheese Recipe

Inspired by Leone's
Time40m
Serves4

Make Mac-n-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 the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil the Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp of salt.

  2. 2

    Cook the Macaroni

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

  3. 3

    Drain the Pasta

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

Making the Cheese Sauce

  1. 4

    Melt the Butter

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

  2. 5

    Add Flour

    Once the butter is melted, whisk in 2 tbs of all-purpose flour. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.

  3. 6

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue to stir until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

  4. 7

    Add Cheese and Seasoning

    Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, 0.5 tsp of garlic powder, and 0.5 tsp of mustard powder. Mix until the cheese is completely melted.

Combining and Serving

  1. 8

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.

  2. 9

    Prepare Topping (optional)

    If using, mix together 0.5 cups of breadcrumbs, 0.5 cups of grated Parmesan cheese, and 0.5 tsp of paprika in a bowl.

  3. 10

    Bake (optional)

    Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.

  4. 11

    Serve

    Serve the mac-n-cheese hot, and enjoy!

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