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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (optional)
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tsp of salt.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Making Cheese Sauce
- 4
- 5
Add Flour
Once the butter is melted, add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Whisk continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- 6
Add Milk
Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- 7
Add Cheese
Reduce heat to low and add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 4 oz of cream cheese. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- 8
Season Sauce
Add 0.5 tsp of salt, 0.25 tsp of black pepper, 0.5 tsp of garlic powder, and 0.25 tsp of paprika. Stir well to combine.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
- 9
Mix Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained pasta back into the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Optional Topping
- 10
Prepare Topping
In a small bowl, mix together 0.5 cups of bread crumbs and 0.5 cups of grated parmesan cheese.
- 11
Bake (optional)
Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle the topping evenly over the top, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Serving
- 12
Serve
Remove from the oven (if baked) and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Mac & Cheese!
