So-Creamy Mac ’n’ Cheese Recipe Is a Weeknight Dream!
You can prep this the night before so all that’s left to do is pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
After you taste our creamy mac’ n’ cheese recipe, which is super easy to make from scratch, you’ll never settle for the boxed version again. It’s made with three types of cheese to add extra creaminess and depth to the dish, and it’s topped with flavorful seasonings. Plus you can prep it in advance for a weeknight timesaver! Try it and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
If you prefer to grate the cheese for this Mac ‘n’ cheese yourself instead of buying it shredded, make the process simpler with this Woman’s World test kitchen hack: Simply coat the grater with cooking spray before starting. The coating ensures the cheese glides along the grater without getting stuck and clogging up the holes. Bonus: Since the cheese won’t stick to the grater, cleanup is a breeze!
Related: Whipped Ricotta Makes the Creamy Cheese So Fluffy + Luxurious: Easy 10-Minute Recipes.
Yields
Total Time
Prep Time
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 12 oz. elbow macaroni
- 3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
- 1½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 8 oz. Monterey Jack, shredded
- 8 oz. Gouda, shredded
Instructions
Coat 2½ -qt. baking dish with cooking spray. In large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain well.
In same pot, whisk flour into milk until blended; over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat to low. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper.
Reserve ¼ cup of each of Monterey Jack and Gouda; cover with plastic wrap and chill. Add remaining cheese to pot; cook, stirring, until melted, about 2 min. Stir in pasta. Transfer to baking dish; let cool. Cover with foil; chill overnight.
When ready to make, let casserole come to room temp. Heat oven to 350°F. Bake until hot and bubbly, 30-35 min. Uncover; top with reserved cheese. Broil until golden, 2-3 min.
Nutrition
- Calories: 580
- Fat: 28 gram
- Saturated Fat: 16 gram
- Protein: 29 gram
- Carbohydrate: 55 gram
- Fiber: 2 gram
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
- Sugar: 8 gram
- Sodium: 710 mg
