Homemade Mac- N- Cheese Recipe
Make Homemade Mac- N- Cheese Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta & Base
Cheese Sauce
Topping (optional)
Method
Pasta & Base
Boil pasta
Bring 4 cups water to a rolling boil in a medium pot. Add 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until just al dente (about 7–8 minutes; check package). Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
Make a roux
In the same pot or a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbs unsalted butter over medium heat. When the butter is foaming but not browned (about 1 minute), add 2 tbs all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbling lightly — this cooks out the raw flour taste.
Add milk and seasonings
Gradually whisk in 1.5 cups whole milk, adding a little at a time to avoid lumps. Continue to whisk and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 tsp dry mustard, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Finish with cheese
Remove the sauce from the heat. Add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar or Monterey Jack, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan in small handfuls, stirring each addition until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in up to 2 tbs reserved pasta water (or milk) to reach desired consistency.
Combine pasta and sauce
Return the drained pasta to the pot with the cheese sauce and gently stir to coat all pasta evenly. If needed, warm together over very low heat for 30–60 seconds; avoid boiling which can cause sauce to separate.
Topping (optional)
Prepare topping
If you want a baked crunchy top, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbs melted butter and 1/4 tsp paprika until evenly coated.
Assemble and bake
Transfer the mac and cheese to a lightly buttered 8-inch baking dish (or keep in the pot for stovetop version). Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling around edges, about 12–15 minutes. For extra color, broil 1–2 minutes watching carefully.
Stovetop option
If skipping the topping, simply serve the mac and cheese immediately after combining pasta and sauce.