Creamy macaroni and cheese

Iolani's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This is my go-to Macaroni and Cheese recipe. It's quick, easy, delicious, calls for ingredients that you likely already have on-hand, and requires essentially zero culinary skill to make. Powdered cheese, Who?

◷
15 mins Prep Time
♨
25 mins Cook Time
♥
2 servings
Servings

Ingredients

  • Elbow Macaroni or Conchiglie Pasta 5 ⅓ oz
  • Butter 1 ⅓ tbsp
  • All-purpose flour 1 ⅓ tbsp
  • Whole milk 1 cups
  • Cheddar cheese ⅔ cups
  • Garlic powder ⅓ tsp
  • Salt ⅓ tsp
  • Black pepper ⅙ tsp
  • Optional: Gruyère cheese ⅓ cup
  • Optional: Breadcrumbs ⅙ cup

Method

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Melt the butter in the same pot (less dishes) over medium heat. Add milk and watch for small bubbles to form around the edges. Should take about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
  4. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in cheese (and dry seasonings) until completely melted and creamy.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and gently fold everything together until every noodle is coated in the cheese sauce. Add more salt if necessary.
  6. Optional: Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 375°F until golden and bubbling.