Description
This classic mac and cheese recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy comfort food with just five basic ingredients. Perfectly cooked macaroni is enveloped in a rich cheddar cheese sauce and baked until golden and crisp on top, making it a timeless dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 30g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 300ml whole milk
- 200g grated mature cheddar
Topping
- 2 tbsp grated mature cheddar for the top
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Boil a large pan of salted water and cook the macaroni following the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the plain flour and stir continuously, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the mixture appears sandy and smells slightly nutty.
- Add milk and thicken sauce: Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking thoroughly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce bubble gently for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Melt in the cheese and season: Stir in the grated mature cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce ensuring even coating.
- Bake the mac and cheese: Transfer the mixture into a 20cm x 30cm baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tbsp of grated mature cheddar over the top. Bake or grill in a preheated oven at 220°C (fan 200°C or gas mark 7) for 20 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
Notes
- This easy macaroni cheese recipe uses only five ingredients and consistently delivers comforting, cheesy goodness.
- Perfect as a hearty meal or a side dish for family dinners.
- For a crispier topping, you can add some breadcrumbs mixed with a little butter before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 1.2mg
- Fat: 32.8g
- Saturated Fat: 19.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65.4g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 30.1g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
