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Best Ever Homemade Mac & Cheese | Macaroni & Cheese | Mac and Cheese Recipe | Easy Macaroni and Cheese | Cheesy Macaroni | Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Pasta Recipe

Best-Ever Homemade Mac & Cheese

The ultimate comfort food!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Homemade Mac & Cheese
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Author Ruth Soukup

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces macaroni pasta
  • 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cans evaporated milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • bread crumbs optional
  • 2-3 tablespoons melted butter optional

Instructions

  1. Shred cheese into bowl; set aside.
  2. Bring large pot of water to a boil; add pasta and cook until just barely al dente, 6-7 minutes. Do not overcook!
  3. Drain pasta and set aside.
  4. In medium saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux. Stir for 30 seconds more.
  5. Slowly add one can of evaporated milk, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to bubble and thicken. Add second can of evaporated milk, whisking constantly, until mixture again begins to bubble and thicken.

  6. Add heavy cream, dried mustard, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt, whisking constantly. Bring mixture to just boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 more seconds.

  7. Remove from heat and quickly stir in cheeses until cheese is completely melted.
  8. Place pasta back in pot. Pour in cheese sauce and mix well.

  9. Spoon mac and cheese into casserole dish or dishes. If you plan on freezing one, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, label and place in freezer.

  10. Sprinkle noodles with bread crumbs, then drizzle with melted butter. Bake at 400ºF for approximately 20 minutes, until crumbs are golden brown.

Recipe Notes

Number of servings (yield): 12