Best 9 Homemade Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic American comfort food, is a delectable dish made with cooked macaroni pasta, a creamy cheese sauce, and often additional ingredients like bread crumbs, bacon, or vegetables. This versatile dish can be prepared in various ways, offering a range of flavors and textures to suit different preferences.

In this article, we present a collection of macaroni and cheese recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs. From the classic stovetop macaroni and cheese to baked versions with crispy toppings, we have something for everyone. We also include a vegan macaroni and cheese recipe for those seeking a plant-based alternative.

Our classic stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe is a straightforward method that yields a creamy and flavorful dish. The recipe guides you through the steps of cooking the pasta, making the cheese sauce, and combining them to create a delicious meal.

For a more decadent experience, try our baked macaroni and cheese recipe. This version features a crispy breadcrumb topping that adds a delightful crunch to the creamy macaroni and cheese. Detailed instructions are provided to help you achieve the perfect golden-brown crust.

If you're looking for a healthier option, our lightened-up macaroni and cheese recipe is a great choice. This recipe uses low-fat milk and cheese, as well as whole wheat pasta, resulting in a lighter and healthier version of the classic dish without compromising on taste.

For those following a vegan lifestyle, our vegan macaroni and cheese recipe offers a delicious plant-based alternative. This recipe uses a combination of dairy-free milk, vegan cheese, and nutritional yeast to create a creamy and flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the macaroni.

No matter your preferences, our collection of macaroni and cheese recipes has something for everyone. With clear instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create a delicious and satisfying macaroni and cheese dish that will delight your taste buds.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

This recipe was given to me by my friend Katie. It's a longtime favorite in her family.

Provided by Jody

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

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup butter, melted
1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Turn off heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted. Add the macaroni and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.1 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 133.1 mg, Fat 49.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 28.9 g, Sodium 1011.5 mg, Sugar 9.8 g

GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Grandma's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

My Grandmother's delightful and VERY TASTY recipe for macaroni in cheese, which is FAR better than the kind right out of the box. Our whole family enjoys this recipe, especially the kids. She often has to make twice the recipe to satisfy just my grandpa and uncles!

Provided by Kat11274

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni until soft.
  • Use a large roast-pan or bowl which you would cook casseroles in the oven, and put a thin layer of macaroni upon the bottom, and then spread cheese over that layer, and repeat this layering process until the cheese and macaroni are gone (makes about 3-4 layers each).
  • Mix salt, pepper, eggs and milk together.
  • Pour into layered macaroni & cheese, until filled at the top (or until it is gone).
  • Sprinkle w/ paprika on top.
  • Place in oven, Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes (covered).
  • Enjoy!

HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

Basic bechamel is made of milk, thickened with flour and butter; add grated cheese to create Mornay sauce -- the key to creamy, crowd-pleasing mac and cheese. This recipe is adapted from the "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" cookbook.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 pound dried elbow macaroni
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup finely grated Italian fontina cheese
2/3 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese
1 2/3 cups finely grated extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch of white pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add pasta; salt generously and cook pasta to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well.
  • Melt butter in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until bubbling but not browning, about 45 seconds. Add milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon (scrape across the bottom and around edge of pot to prevent scorching), until thickened and smooth. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
  • Add fontina, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, stirring until completely melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper, add cayenne and nutmeg, and stir to combine.
  • Add pasta to sauce along with white pepper and salt; stir to thoroughly combine. Serve immediately.

DAD'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Dad's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

This is a recipe my dad got from my step mom's sister sometime last year. He made it for Christmas '08, and it was some of the best homemade macaroni I have ever had.

Provided by Ransomed by Fire

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 1 pan, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
2 cups light cottage cheese
8 ounces light sour cream
3 eggs, slghtly beaten
4 cups Mexican blend cheese or 4 cups cheddar cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
paprika (to taste)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook macaroni and drain.
  • Mix all ingredients except paprika and 2 cups Mexican blend or cheddar cheese in a 2-quart baking dish.
  • Top with remaining 2 cups cheese.
  • Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
  • Recipe can be halved and cooked in a 9x9 pan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.9, Fat 20.3, SaturatedFat 12.2, Cholesterol 127.6, Sodium 891.1, Carbohydrate 22.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 3.6, Protein 19.6

HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

Nothing is better than some comforting, homemade macaroni and cheese!

Provided by Derek Crook

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

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
3 ½ cups milk
1 (8 ounce) package sharp white Cheddar cheese (such as Cracker Barrel), shredded
½ (8 ounce) package processed cheese (such as Velveeta®), cubed
1 cup bread crumbs, or as needed
1 pinch paprika, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt, and dry mustard and mix well. Return to heat; pour in milk, stirring constantly until mixture is simmering, thick, and smooth. Add white Cheddar cheese and processed cheese; stir occasionally until melted.
  • Pour cooked macaroni into a large baking dish, followed by sauce. Stir to combine. Top with bread crumbs. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.9 calories, Carbohydrate 61.1 g, Cholesterol 64.4 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 13.3 g, Sodium 828.5 mg, Sugar 8.4 g

YUMMY HOMEMADE BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Yummy Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

I love cheese, it is one of my favorite foods. So naturally, I decided to create a homemade macaroni and cheese.

Provided by tracielroy89

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Three Cheese with a Touch of PHILADELPHIA
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk
salt
pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Ritz cracker

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Boil pasta till al dente, drain.
  • Melt butter in sauce pan over low/medium heat, add flour and stir till thick and chunky.
  • Add milk and whisk until butter and flour mixture has blended.
  • Let cook until milk becomes thick, stirring often.
  • Add all cheeses 1/2 cup at a time, whisking until cheese has melted before adding next amount.
  • Once all blended and melted add salt and pepper to taste then add garlic.
  • Grease an 8x10 casserole dish, pour in pasta and cheese sauce, stir till mixed.
  • Break up one sleeve of ritz crackers over the top.
  • Bake 20 minutes.

KID FRIENDLY HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Kid Friendly Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

I love this recipe. I basically built off of a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe and added a bit of my own to it.

Provided by Shaiya Ookami

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 cups of any type noodles
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
3/4 cup of any type milk
8 fat-free American cheese slices
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Use medium pot over medium to high heat and add the tablespoon of Oil into the water. Bring the water to a boil.
  • Once water is at a full boil add your 4 cups of noodles. Stir a few times so the noodles don't stick.
  • Leave noodles cook until done. (depends on which type of noodles you use) Drain them into a strainer and shake the excess water out of the noodles. Put the noodles back into the warm pot.
  • Add the milk and butter to the noodles and slowly add the slices of cheese, stirring the entire time. Stir cheese in until creamy and slightly frothy.
  • Dish up and serve hot or cold to your liking. Add a slice of French Bread to the side to sop up all the extra cheese.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.1, Fat 18.6, SaturatedFat 9.4, Cholesterol 73.5, Sodium 773.5, Carbohydrate 34.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 4.9, Protein 16.4

EASY HOMEMADE TASTIN' MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easy Homemade Tastin' Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Easy Homemade Tastin' Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lilladyc

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (14 ounce) box Mac n' Cheese Deluxe (Cheese sauce is premade)
3/4 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni according to package.
  • Drain.
  • No need to rinse.
  • Pour in large mixing bowl.
  • Add sauce packet, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of the cheese.
  • Pour in casserole dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake at 375F for about an hour or until nicely browned.

EASY HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

The VERY BEST mac 'n cheese recipe I have found. Cheesy and creamy, I like to use the extra sharp cheddar cheese. I have also used this recipe as the base for mac n' cheese casseroles with added meats and veggies for potlucks.

Provided by Tina D. Breen

Categories     Cheese

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cut up
1 cup kraft shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked, drained
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
  • Mix milk and eggs in large bowl.
  • Add butter, red pepper, prepared cheese product and cheddar cheese.
  • Stir in macaroni; mix lightly.
  • POUR into 1-1/2-quart casserole.
  • BAKE 15 minutes or until heated through.
  • Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
  • Bake for 5 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427, Fat 22.5, SaturatedFat 13.5, Cholesterol 137.2, Sodium 786.9, Carbohydrate 35.8, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 4.2, Protein 19.7

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Pasta: Use a short-cut pasta like elbow macaroni or shells, which hold the cheese sauce well.
  • Cook the Pasta Al Dente:Slightly firm to the bite, to prevent it from becoming mushy when baked.
  • Make a Roux or Béchamel Sauce: This is the base for the cheese sauce, and it helps to thicken and smooth it out.
  • Use a Variety of Cheeses: A blend of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, creates a rich and flavorful sauce.
  • Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to the sauce for extra flavor.
  • Don't Overcook the Mac and Cheese: Bake it just until the cheese is melted and bubbly, to prevent it from drying out.
  • Top with Breadcrumbs or Panko: For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs or panko on top of the mac and cheese before baking.
  • Let it Rest: Allow the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes before serving, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Homemade macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a gathering, homemade mac and cheese is sure to be a hit. So next time you are in the mood for something cheesy and delicious, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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