Discover The Easiest Way to Make Delicious Mac and Cheese in NZ

This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is made with 8 ingredients in 15 minutes on the stovetop (no baking required)! Time to ditch the boxed mac and cheese for this irresistibly creamy, smooth & cheesy homemade recipe!

So naturally I created this easy homemade mac and cheese recipe so that we could consume less of the boxed varieties. Because I really care about feeding my family healthy meals that they actually enjoy! And did I mention that they

Once you taste this homemade mac and cheese you and your family will say goodbye to powdered cheese forever, and say hello to this creamy dreamy real-cheese version again and again!

Butternut Squash Macaroni And Cheese

This homemade mac and cheese recipe is made with only 8 ingredients in 15 minutes! That's the same amount of time it takes to make the boxed varieties, but with no preservatives or artificial ingredients!

This homemade mac and cheese recipe is very easy to make and comes together in 15 minutes flat. As always we'll walk through the process step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

This easy mac and cheese recipe is super fast-paced once you start cooking, so it's important to have all the ingredients measured and ready to go! As you can see there are only eight, common ingredients in this recipe that most of us have on hand at all times! We will discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions later in this post (right above the recipe card).

Simply The Best Mac And Cheese Ever!

Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Be sure to add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. It may seem like an insignificant step, but it makes a huge difference in the overall taste of this mac and cheese (or any pasta dish for that matter)!

While the macaroni (or your noodles of choice) is cooking, make the cheese sauce. It's really easy but there are a few notes that we'll go over to ensure your success!

This homemade mac and cheese sauce starts with a roux. What is a roux? It's a mixture of fat (usually butter) and flour that is used to create thick sauces. Start by melting the butter (do not let it brown) and then adding the dry ingredients (flour, salt and garlic powder).

Best Mac And Cheese Recipe

Use a whisk to combine the ingredients until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout). Let it cook (you will see it bubbling) for about 60 seconds before moving on!

After the roux has cooked for 60 seconds, add the milk and whisk the mixture really well. Add the sour cream or Greek yogurt and whisk again. At this point the mixture will be fairly runny. Cook over medium heat whisking every 10-15 seconds until the sauce starts to thicken.

Do NOT let this mixture boil! If you do you may end up with a mac and cheese sauce that is too thick. Once the sauce has thickened enough to stick to a spatula, turn the heat to low. Then it's time for the next step...

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Add the cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth and all the cheese is melted. This will take 1-2 minutes over low heat. At this point it is important to taste the cheese sauce and adjust the salt/garlic according to your tastes!

Once the cheese sauce is silky smooth, turn off the heat, add the cooked pasta and stir to combine. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so keep that in mind!

Serve this homemade mac and cheese recipe all by itself for an easy lunch or dinner! I always serve it with roasted broccoli. My kids love it with chopped up hot dogs. I enjoy eating a small portion with a giant salad! You can also serve this homemade mac and cheese as an easy side dish for a BBQ or potluck!

Crock Pot Mac And Cheese (extra Creamy)

If you're looking for an extra special way to serve this easy mac and cheese recipe, here are some suggestions for delicious add-ins:

Store the leftovers of this homemade mac and cheese recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since it thickens as it cools, you may need to add 1-2 TBS of milk when it's reheated it to restore its original creaminess. 

Yes, you can freeze this homemade mac and cheese, however I don't recommend it. Since this mac and cheese recipe is so easy to make, there's really no need to freeze it. If you're looking for a freezer-friendly mac and cheese recipe check out my baked mac and cheese! 

Ingredient Mac & Cheese Recipe By Tasty

If you're looking to serve this mac and cheese recipe as a side dish instead of the main event, here are some suggestions for other dishes that pair well with it: 

YES! Making this mac and cheese recipe gluten-free is SO easy! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta and all-purpose gluten free flour, and presto! You have delicious creamy gluten-free mac and cheese!

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @ and use the hashtag # so we can your creations!

Easy Homemade Mac And Cheese

This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is made with 6 ingredients in 15 minutes on the stovetop (no baking required)! Time to ditch the boxed mac and cheese for this irresistibly creamy, smooth & cheesy homemade recipe!

Serving: 0.5 cup Calories: 271.1 kcal Carbohydrates: 25.3 g Protein: 12.3 g Fat: 13.8 g Saturated Fat: 8.5 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4 g Monounsaturated Fat: 3.5 g Cholesterol: 41.7 mg Sodium: 351 mg Potassium: 102.8 mg Fiber: 1.1 g Sugar: 2.6 g Vitamin A: 460 IU Vitamin C: 0.1 mg Calcium: 252 mg Iron: 0.3 mg

Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @ # on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is easy to make with a creamy 3-cheese blend and perfectly cooked macaroni. There is plenty of delicious cheese sauce with even more melted cheese on top. This makes a perfect dinner recipe or holiday side dish idea.

The Best Baked Mac And Cheese

Nothing beats a casserole dish filled with this creamy 3-cheese Baked Macaroni. This recipe ensures that there is absolutely no shortage of that delicious cheese sauce. (It’s amazing how much sauce the macaroni continues to absorb when it bakes, but this recipe completely factors that in.)

I love the combination of cheddar, gruyere, and gouda, but the cheese combinations are endless. Feel free to keep it simple and stick to cheddar, or add in as many additional cheese combinations as you want!

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour and use a silicone spatula to stir continuously for 2 minutes. Add the milk/heavy cream in small splashes, stirring continuously.

Mac And Cheese 101

Let it heat through and thicken while you continue to stir for 5 minutes. Add the seasonings and hot sauce and remove from heat.

Gradually sprinkle in 4 cups of shredded cheese, stirring continuously until smooth. Meanwhile, boil the macaroni for 1 minute less than al dente.

Top with 2 cups of shredded cheese and bake at 325° for 25 minutes. Broil at the end for a few minutes if desired, then serve!

Yummy & Clever Mac And Cheese Add Ins

Pro Tips Optional additions include diced ham, bacon, caramelized onions, steamed broccoli, shredded chicken, buffalo chicken, and more! Pasta shells also make a great choice for this recipe instead of macaroni. Make sure the base of the sauce isn’t too hot when the cheese is added, otherwise the dairy will separate and the consistency will be grainy. Cheese options are endless, you can use any combination of cheddar, gouda, gruyere, mozzarella, Colby, and more. I used Cracker Barrel Cheddar, Yancey’s Fancy Gouda (regular, not smoked), and Emmi Gruyere cheese as well as Frank’s hot sauce. The hot sauce and mustard powder are flavor enhancers and can’t be tasted outright. The hot sauce doesn’t make it spicy. For a crunchy topping: Combine 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers and 2 tbsp. melted butter. Add it during the last 15 minutes of baking. Storage

Tools For This Recipe (Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here. 9 x 13-inch Casserole Dish: This is the one pictured in this recipe, this is a less expensive one, and disposable tins can be used as well. Box Cheese Grater– Grating/Shredding cheese from a block will also give you the best flavor and consistency. Pasta Strainer– I have this one and love it. Measuring Spoons– I have these magnetic ones which stay nice and organized in my utensil drawer. Pinch Bowls– for measuring out seasonings ahead of time. Try These Next

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What To Serve With Mac And Cheese: 20+ Sides & Main Dishes

Calories: 677 kcal , Carbohydrates: 42 g , Protein: 27 g , Fat: 44 g , Saturated Fat: 27 g , Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g , Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g , Trans Fat: 1 g , Cholesterol: 138 mg , Sodium: 694 mg , Potassium:

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