Best Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe!)
The absolute best homemade creamy mac and cheese recipe! Made from scratch with a rich, velvety cheese sauce. The ultimate comfort side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated gruyere cheese
- 1 tsp dry mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil macaroni about 1 minute less than package directions, then drain.
- Melt butter in a large pot, whisk in flour, and cook until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream, simmering until thickened.
- Stir in mustard powder and smoked paprika.
- Remove from heat and gradually stir in grated cheddar and gruyere until smooth.
- Fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Always grate cheese fresh off a block; bagged, pre-shredded cheese resists melting smoothly.
- Take the pot off the heat before adding cheese to prevent grainy, oily separation.
- Boil pasta about 1 minute less than package directions, since it continues cooking once combined with the sauce.