The Creamiest Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese Recipe

Creamy, comforting mac and cheese has been a beloved classic for generations of hungry souls.

Memories of childhood dinners flood back with each cheesy bite.

Families across the country cherish this simple yet satisfying dish that never goes out of style.

Soft pasta shells embrace a rich, velvety sauce that promises pure deliciousness.

Salt and pepper add a subtle kick to the melted cheese blend.

Home cooks can easily master this timeless recipe with just a few pantry staples.

You’ll want to bookmark this ultimate comfort food that brings everyone together around the dinner table.

Why Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese Never Gets Old

• Customize with Comfort: Personalize this mac and cheese with your favorite cheese blends or add crispy bacon bits for an extra flavor punch.
• Create Family-Friendly Feast: Perfect for picky eaters and crowd-pleasing gatherings, this dish brings everyone together with its creamy, cheesy goodness.
• Master Simple Culinary Skills: Learn fundamental cooking techniques like making a roux and melting cheese smoothly while creating a restaurant-quality meal at home.
• Bake with Minimal Effort: Straightforward preparation and basic ingredients make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, delivering maximum deliciousness with minimal complexity.

What You’ll Use For Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that holds cheese sauce perfectly and provides a traditional mac and cheese texture.

• Butter: Creates a rich, smooth foundation for the cheese sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a velvety consistency.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Provide a creamy, luxurious base for the cheese sauce.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Deliver a complex, melty flavor profile with excellent stretching and coating properties.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Enhance and balance the overall flavor of the mac and cheese.

• Breadcrumbs, Grated Parmesan Cheese, Melted Butter: Create a crispy, golden crust that adds textural contrast to the creamy mac and cheese.

Cooking Up Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese Made Easy

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Boil a pot of salted water and cook elbow macaroni until tender. Drain completely and set aside.

Step 3: Create Butter Base

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it becomes frothy and slightly golden.

Step 4: Build A Roux

Whisk flour into the melted butter gradually, stirring consistently to create a smooth mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour flavor.

Step 5: Pour In Creamy Liquids

Slowly add milk and heavy cream while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming.

Step 6: Develop Cheese Sauce

• Sharp cheddar
• Mozzarella

Stir until completely melted and integrated into a smooth sauce.

Step 7: Season The Sauce

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Ensure even distribution throughout the sauce.

Step 8: Combine Pasta And Cheese

Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, coating each pasta piece thoroughly.

Step 9: Transfer To Baking Dish

Spread the mac and cheese mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 10: Prepare Crispy Topping

• Breadcrumbs
• Grated parmesan
• Melted butter

Combine until well blended.

Step 11: Add Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese, covering the entire surface.

Step 12: Bake To Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges are bubbling.

Step 13: Rest And Serve

Remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes, allowing the cheese to set and cool slightly before serving.

Tips For The Creamiest Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese

• Boost Cheese Flavor: Use a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a more complex, rich taste profile that elevates the classic mac and cheese.
• Prevent Grainy Sauce: Whisk the roux and milk slowly and consistently to ensure a smooth, creamy cheese sauce without any lumps or separation.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Mix panko breadcrumbs with parmesan for an extra crunchy, golden-brown crust that adds delightful texture to each bite.
• Pasta Cooking Hack: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, as the pasta will continue to absorb sauce in the oven.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dish up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Fun Twists On Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Replace regular pasta with gluten-free elbow macaroni for a safe, delicious alternative.
• Protein Power Mac: Add cooked diced chicken, crispy bacon bits, or ground turkey to boost protein content. Mix in the meat before transferring to the baking dish for added nutrition.
• Veggie Loaded Version: Incorporate roasted cauliflower, spinach, or diced bell peppers into the mac and cheese. Sauté vegetables beforehand to enhance their flavor and prevent excess moisture.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Blend in diced jalapeños, sprinkle red pepper flakes, or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. Top with pepper jack cheese for an extra zesty experience.

What Goes Great With Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese

• Pair Crisp Green Salad: Refresh the rich, creamy mac and cheese with a light, tangy mixed green salad dressed in zesty vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness.
• Serve Bold Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the cheese's sharp flavors and cut through the richness.
• Match Crunchy Roasted Vegetables: Add roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil to provide a nutritious, textural contrast to the smooth mac and cheese.
• Enhance with Crisp Chardonnay: Choose a buttery Chardonnay with moderate acidity to harmonize with the cheese sauce's creamy texture and enhance the overall dining experience.

How To Store Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese Without Drying It Out

• Transfer leftover mac and cheese to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and bacterial contamination.
• Pack cooled mac and cheese in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with date and contents. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining best quality and texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish, add 2-3 tablespoons of milk to restore moisture. Cover with foil, bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for last 5 minutes to crisp the topping.

All Your Questions On Good Old Fashion Mac And Cheese Answered

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can experiment with cheeses like Gruyère, fontina, or gouda for unique flavor profiles while maintaining the classic creamy texture.

• Is this recipe good for making ahead?

Absolutely! Prepare the mac and cheese up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 extra minutes to cooking time.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add steamed broccoli, spinach, or diced bell peppers to the mac and cheese mixture. These vegetables boost nutrition without compromising the delicious cheesy flavor.