Description
Creamy white cheddar mac and cheese delivers comfort in every delectable bite, promising rich, velvety goodness. Cheese lovers will savor this classic dish that blends sharp cheddar with perfectly cooked pasta for ultimate satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups white cheddar cheese (shredded, sharp)
- 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook macaroni until perfectly tender. Drain and reserve.
- Roux Creation: Return to the same pot and gently melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate flour, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a light golden, frothy base.
- Sauce Development: Gradually introduce warm milk and cream, stirring meticulously to prevent lumping. Simmer until the sauce thickens and reaches a luxurious consistency.
- Cheese Infusion: Reduce heat and fold in white cheddar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a silky, uniform sauce.
- Final Fusion: Reintroduce cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring every pasta piece is generously coated. Warm briefly to meld flavors and serve immediately.
Notes
- Monitor pasta closely during boiling to achieve perfect al dente texture, which prevents mushy mac and cheese.
- Whisk milk and cream gradually into roux to eliminate lumps, creating a silky, professional-quality cheese sauce.
- Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a creamy, velvety consistency.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like gruyere or sharp cheddar, or add crispy bacon bits for extra depth and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg