Best Ever Macaroni And Cheese #Recipe With Step by Step How To

ByTheresa Huse
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You know when you make a recipe that is so good you just want to make it over and over again keeping it on your meal plan rotation.The more you make it the easier it gets. I used to be intimated of cheese sauces. Making homemade macaroni and cheese was the last thing I wanted to tackle when you can open a box and stir in butter, milk and a mix. That is until I tried to make my own homemade macaroni and cheese and tackle cheese sauce. I’m just sorry it took me { insert years} to try making my own homemade mac n’ cheese. It’s not hard folks but, it does take a little time. Let’s make homemade macaroni and cheese with this best ever recipe mac n’ cheese. I’ll show you how.

This isn’t a new recipe here we’ve shared way back but, I’ve added the step by step to the recipe! Set aside about an hour or a little more, including baking time. And you’ll be making this over and over because this is the prefect comfort food! It’s going to warm you up on a cold winters day. It’s something you can bring to pot luck gathering and heat back up. This is a winning recipe you’ll want to save, pin and make over and over again. I promise!

Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese Recipe _Macaroni and Cheese on a Plate_

How to make this Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese;

First off start by boiling water for your macaroni noodles in your large stock pot. Next shredding your Tilamook Sharp Cheddar cheese, measuring it and setting it aside in a bowl. Next measure out your milk, grab your butter, Panko bread crumbs. You’ll also need dry mustard, salt and pepper. Pre spray your baking dish and set aside.

Have these items ready before you start making the macaroni and cheese recipe:

  • Have a non stick skillet
  • Wood spoon
  • Strainer
  • 9 x13 Baking Pan ceramic or glass
  • non stick spray

Now your ready to get cooking;

When your water is ready start cooking your macaroni noodles with the directions on the package.

Spoon in sauteed onions and milk _making cheese sauce_

In a saucepan, saute the chopped onion in 1/2 cup butter. Add the flour; whisk until blended. Gradually add milk. When they are translucent pour in your measured out milk. I always think wow, this is a lot of milk but, it’s what you need and it decreases as it thickens. Trust, trust and slowly bring to a boil while stirring. Patience and then it happens quicker than you think! When thickened add in cheese, stir and when cheese is melted shut off stove.

Now your ready to drain your noodles when the buzzer goes off. Hopefully the timing is perfect and your sauce is done. If not just be quick or grab help to drain your noodles. After either use your stock pot as the mixing bowl or grab a light weight mixing bowl.

Cheese sauce being poured into macaroni_

  • Add your drained noodles back to your pot or into a light weight mixing bowl.
  • Pour your sauce into it, stir, add spices and stir again.

Here’s the step by step in images for making the Macaroni and Cheese;

Step by Step Macaroni and Cheese_

Yes, that’s it into the oven it goes and off to get a few things done while your dish is baking or wrap and refrigerate until you want to bake your prepared macaroni and cheese.

Cooked Macaroni and Cheese n a baking dish_

This macaroni and cheese recipe will feed 6-8 people easily. Serve with your favorite salad or veggie. This will make a perfect side dish for gatherings too.

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Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese

A mildly flavored deliciously cheesy macaroni and cheese that will appeal to the entire family. Easily adapted.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup butter divided
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4-1/2 cups milk
  • 4 cups 16 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used Tilamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs I used Panko bread crumbs
  • Non stick spray for greasing pan

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  2. Pre shred cheese, measure out milk, chop onion and pre spray your baking pan. Get out all needed items.Once you get cooking it goes fast.
  3. In a saucepan, saute the onion in 1/2 cup butter. Add the flour; whisk until blended. Gradually add milk.
  4. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened.
  5. Drain macaroni and back into pot then add to sauce; stir until coated.
  6. Stir in the cheese, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth.
  7. Transfer to a sprayed 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Melt the remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. or just add bread crumbs.
  8. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
  9. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe Notes

The more you make this recipe the prep time is cut down!

Adapted from Taste of Home Baked Mac and Cheese

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23 Comments

  1. There is nothing better than homemade Mac and Cheese! I too use ground mustard which people don’t often think of adding, but it is the best secret ingredient and it makes it distinctive and that much better!

  3. This looks so good and I love your photos you have a way with your camera in the kitchen. Hope to try this for my family with gluten free noodles. 🙂

  4. This looks really good! for Christmas Day I brought stouffer’s mac and cheese in my own dish.. and everyone raved about how good it was! haha!

  6. That looks quite good. Theresa! I make an awesome Macaroni too, if I say so myself ;). I make mine super cheesy tough, without the breadcrumbs.

    1. Hi Stacie, I know I wasn’t sure if I’d like the breadcrumbs but, we did. It just gives it a slight crunch. By all means add more cheese if you like. I’d love to try your recipe but, I might have to scale back on the yummy cheese lol.

  9. This looks amazing. My mac & cheese is similar although I’ve never tried the onions and I’ve never use the Tilamook cheese – and I am not sure why because that stuff is…well, crack. Pinning for sure! yum!

    1. Hi Jill, I only put a small amount of yellow onion chopped. You can use your favorite cheese but, we love the milder cheddar flavor of Tilamook. The combo is yummy. Hope you try it sometime.

  12. We love Mac ‘N Cheese!! So I’m going to have to try this! It really looks so good! I can’t wait! Thanks for sharing this! I’m glad I found this on Friday Food Frenzy! Pinned.

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