Mac & Cheese Recipe
Make Mac & Cheese Recipe in just 45m. 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 Water
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2
Cook Macaroni
Add macaroni pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Drain the pasta and set aside.
Making Cheese Sauce
- 4
- 5
Make Roux
Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a roux (the mixture will be slightly bubbly).
- 6
Add Milk
Gradually pour in the milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- 7
Add Cheese
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- 8
Season Sauce
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika, mixing well.
Combining & Baking
- 9
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 10
Combine Pasta and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is well-coated.
- 11
Transfer to Baking Dish
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish.
- 12
Add Topping
If desired, mix breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese together and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese for a crispy topping.
- 13
Bake Mac & Cheese
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.