Best 7 Easiest Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a timeless classic loved by people of all ages, is a dish that brings comfort and satisfaction with every bite. Originating in the 14th century, it has undergone countless transformations over time, resulting in a diverse range of recipes that cater to various preferences and dietary needs. From the traditional stovetop method to the convenience of oven-baked or instant pot variations, mac and cheese has become a staple in home cooking and restaurant menus worldwide.

This article presents a collection of the easiest mac and cheese recipes that are guaranteed to delight your taste buds. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook seeking new inspirations, these recipes offer a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. From the classic version with a creamy cheese sauce to unique variations featuring different types of cheese, vegetables, and even seafood, there's a mac and cheese recipe here for every palate. So, get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our curated selection of the easiest and most delicious mac and cheese recipes.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.

Provided by g0dluvsugly

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

EASIEST MAC-N-CHEESE EVER!



Easiest Mac-N-Cheese Ever! image

I have tried many more-complicated recipes for macaroni and cheese. Not only is this one often requested for family functions, but it is easy to make! Kids LOVE this recipe. It is so handy for busy moms.

Provided by Anncredible

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 ounces elbow macaroni
4 ounces cubed processed cheese food
2 fluid ounces milk
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
  • Place a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine the cheese food, milk, and pepper in the saucepan; cook until the cheese has melted, stirring frequently. Stir in the drained macaroni until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 136.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 15.7 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 241.5 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is a nice rich mac and cheese. Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner. Hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Judy

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 858.2 calories, Carbohydrate 66.7 g, Cholesterol 141.6 mg, Fat 48.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 29.9 g, Sodium 879.3 mg, Sugar 10.7 g

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easy Macaroni and Cheese image

A wonderful and easy Macaroni and cheese recipe. Have dinner ready for the hungry kids quickly. Serve alone or as a side dish.

Provided by Chelsea_

Categories     Cheese

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

230 g macaroni (uncooked)
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
  • Stir in flour and salt.
  • Add milk and macaroni to saucepan, and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, and cover.
  • Simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
  • Add cheese, and stir until cheese melts.
  • Serve.

BEST EVER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE



Best ever macaroni cheese recipe image

This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping

Provided by Jennifer Joyce

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 9

50g baguette, cut into small chunks
2 tbsp butter, plus 1 tbsp melted
350g spiral or other short pasta
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tsp English mustard powder
3 tbsp plain flour
500ml whole milk
250g vegetarian mature cheddar, grated
50g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside.
  • Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour.
  • Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan.
  • Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes.
  • Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking - defrost thoroughly before cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 42 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 88 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Protein 38 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium

EASY ONE-POT MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Easy One-pot Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: whole milk, elbow macaroni, butter, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Provided by Matthew Johnson

Categories     Sides

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 cups whole milk
1 box elbow macaroni
½ cup butter
2 cups cheddar cheese
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
fresh parsley, to serve

Steps:

  • In a large pot on medium-high heat, gently heat the milk to a simmer.
  • Add in the elbow macaroni. Cook until the pasta is tender.
  • Once the noodles are cooked, turn off the heat. Add in the butter, cheddar, salt, and pepper. Fold these ingredients with the pasta until the cheese and butter melt into the milk to create a thick sauce.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 758 calories, Carbohydrate 72 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 32 grams, Sugar 12 grams

EASY STOVE-TOP MACARONI & CHEESE



Easy Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese image

Make and share this Easy Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Marie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash black pepper
2 cups milk, warmed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or 8 ounces cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  • In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly to form a roux; add salt and pepper; slowly add milk, stirring well after each addition.
  • Cook and stir until bubbly.
  • Stir in cheese a small amount at a time until fully melted.
  • Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce; stir to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.7, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 71.3, Sodium 540.1, Carbohydrate 68.7, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 2.4, Protein 23.2

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese. Look for a cheese that is sharp and flavorful, such as cheddar or Gruyère.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will help prevent it from becoming mushy when you bake it.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to create a creamy and smooth sauce.
  • Use milk and cream: The milk and cream will help to create a rich and flavorful sauce. You can also use half-and-half or evaporated milk if you prefer.
  • Season the sauce: Be sure to season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. This will help to bring out the flavor of the cheese and other ingredients.
  • Bake the mac and cheese: Baking the mac and cheese will help to brown the top and create a crispy crust. You can also broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes to get a golden brown crust.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but there are a few tips that you can follow to make it even more delicious. By using high-quality ingredients, cooking the macaroni al dente, making a roux, and seasoning the sauce properly, you can create a mac and cheese that is sure to be a hit.

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