• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Meals » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Feb 12, 2016 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    Homemade macaroni and cheese is smooth, extra creamy and full of flavor. It's also super easy to make. You won't go back to the box after you try this!

    Jump to Recipe -

    creamy-homemade-macaroni-and-cheese

    So, this is kind of  a different recipe for me because I'm really not a huge fan of mac and cheese -- really! The only kind of macaroni and cheese I had when I was growing up came straight out of the blue box, and we didn't have it that often -- usually when my dad was working late, and my mom would make something quick for dinner.

    The Hubs, on the other hand, absolutely, positively adores mac and cheese. If he could have it every day for every meal, he would be a happy guy. He grew up with homemade mac and cheese, except that the cheese always came out of the yellow box and wasn't really cheese.

    My little guy loves the stuff too. The other kids are okay with it, but the little man loves it as much as his dad does. I used to buy organic boxed mac and cheese, but that really adds up, so, I decided it was time to start making my own.

    It's not hard, and the macaroni part is easy -- just cook the pasta, and you're good to go. And then, you make the roux, which is basically even amounts of flour and butter and is used to thicken sauces.

    It's French, but it's not to be confused with rue, which is also French, but is the word for street. Just saying, since I had to explain this to someone who loves mac and cheese but who shall remain nameless.

    make-roux-for-cheese-sauce

    When the roux starts to thicken, you add liquid -- in this case, milk and cream. Then you add the cheese -- in this case a blend of sharp cheddar and colby jack --  and keep stirring until it's melted.

    Oh, you also add a little Dijon mustard for extra kick!

    homemade-cheese-sauce

    Then, you add the cooked pasta -- in this case, elbow macaroni, which is perfect because it gets filled with all of that cheesy goodness.

    I like to add a little extra cheese right before serving -- grated Parmesan is perfect!

    make-mac-and-cheese-with-cheese-sauce

    How to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

    creamy-homemade-macaroni-and-cheese

    Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

    Published by Dee
    Homemade creamy macaroni and cheese made with a blend of cheddar, Parmesan and colby jack cheese
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 to 8 servings
    Calories 453 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons white flour
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 ½ cups milk
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup colby jack cheese
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 pound cooked elbow macaroni

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat, and stir in the flour until thick and well combined
    • Stir in the milk and cream, and keep stirring until mixture begins to thicken
    • Stir in the salt, pepper and mustard
    • Increase heat to medium, and gradually add the cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted
    • Add the cooked pasta, and stir until completely coated
    • Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and additional cheese, if desired
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 16gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 753mgPotassium: 183mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1050IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 345mgIron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

     

    homemade-creamy-mac-and-cheese

    This macaroni and cheese is creamy and saucy and not dry at all. It also heats up well for leftovers. Once you master basic mac and cheese, you can change it up however you want.

    Like today, we had spicy beef mac, and the other day, I made Buffalo mac -- yum!

    homemade-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe

    Happy eating!

    sig%2B1.png

    Sharing At

    Weekend Potluck, TT&J, The Scoop, Wow Us Wednesday

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Main Dish Dinner Recipes

    • Taco Tater Tot Casserole
    • Baked Pierogi Casserole Recipe
    • No Peek Chicken and Rice Recipe
    • Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe

    You May Also Like

    baked pierogi casserole with kielbasa sausage on a plate
    Baked Pierogi Casserole Recipe
    cream cheese bean dip with cheddar cheese on tostitos scoop tortilla chip
    Cheesy Hot Bean Dip
    homemade potato cheese pierogi on plate with sour cream
    Homemade Cheddar Potato Pierogi

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Miz Helen says

      February 28, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Congratulations!
      Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your week and your new Red Plate!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    2. Pauline Molinari says

      February 21, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Mmm.. this looks so creamy and delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy recipe on the Monday Funday Party!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Suzanne says

      February 19, 2016 at 9:38 am

      I'm popping in from the link-up. This looks great!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 19, 2016 at 4:47 pm

        Thanks, Suzanne. It's a family favorite! 🙂

    4. Michelle says

      February 16, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Looks FANTASTIC! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 16, 2016 at 9:01 pm

        Thanks, Michelle. It really is very good! 🙂

    5. Debbie-Dabble says

      February 16, 2016 at 10:10 am

      This looks amazingly good as my biggest weakness is cheese!! Thanks for sharing!! Thanks to for stopping by!!
      Hugs,
      Debbie

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 16, 2016 at 4:51 pm

        It's my husband's too! Thanks, Debbie! 🙂

    6. Lindsay says

      February 16, 2016 at 8:59 am

      this looks delicious! thanks so much for sharing at #merrymonday !

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Best Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats
    • How to Cook Ramen Noodles in the Microwave
    • Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama