Is there anything more classic that Macaroni and Cheese? While I have to admit that we do reach for the boxed kind more often than not, I’ve always been curious about the recipes flying about, to make your own.
It wasn’t until my pantry was pretty bare, that I was forced to make Macaroni and Cheese myself. By the way, forced being a term I’m using for ‘I really don’t want to go shopping today’.
So, I scoured the net, talked to friends and adjusted a few recipes to create what I consider to be The Best Macaroni and Cheese – ever.
Cheesy, gooey, full of flavour and with that crusted topping of cheese that we love from a casserole. YUM.
This recipe does take quite a bit of cheese, and thankfully, I usually am swimming in a vast variety of cheeses at all times.
Things is, you can really make this recipe your own when it comes to cheese. Either based on what you have on hand, or preference. I used a mixture of mozza and medium cheddar, yet you can go full force with the cheddar if you wish.
Making it is pretty simple, though it does require a lot of whisking on the stove to prevent burning. Monotonous yet necessary, so I suggest blasting some music to make the time pass faster.
The end result will be classic, warming with a side of accomplishment that ‘hey, you can make your own!‘. Give this one a try and see for yourself, why is really is The Best Macaroni and Cheese – ever! Especially if you add some crumbled bacon on top!
- 1¾ cups macaroni or other favourite pasta
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
- 2½ cups 2% milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese and 1 cup grated mozza cheese {or 3 cups grated medium cheddar cheese}
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Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process. Return the pasta to the pan that you boiled it in and set aside.
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Melt the butter over medium heat
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Add the flour, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Stir constantly over medium heat for about three minutes.
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Stir in the milk and whisk constantly for approx. 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
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Remove from heat, and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted.
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Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and toss gently until all noodles are covered.
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Add half the noodles to a casserole dish and sprinkle half the remaining cheese on top.
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Add the rest of the noodles and again sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
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Bake uncovered at 375 for about 25-30 minutes, until it starts getting brown on top and it looks like the cheese has really thickened.
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Enjoy with crumbled bacon on top.
Looking for more pasta recipes to enjoy? May I suggest:
Pure comfort food. Love homemade Mac and Cheese.
I tried this once, but I think it needed the dry mustard and the layering, great idea!
I LOVE a good mac and cheese. I must try this!!! Simple and easy dinner ideas are my go to these days.
Macaroni and cheese is one of my kids’ favorite meals. We have it all the time.
I love mac and cheese, thanks!
It sounds like it’s worth every bit of whisking time it calls for. That looks outstanding!
Yum, when you add bacon to cheese something magical happens…yum-o!
This looks to die for!
I think the dry mustard is the key! Put even more in… trust me, you will love it!
My kids LOVE mac and cheese. I’m pinning this to try. Looks yummy and creamy!
I’m making this tomorrow, can’t wait!
the bacon on top – perfection!
I must try this!
I love all your recipes, I try many of them. Just wanted to stop by and say thanks! 🙂
Homemade mac and cheese is sooooo delicious. It’s worth the effort.
I need to try this next time I’m out of my usual, I don’t often think to just do it myself. Wise suggestion!
My boys would love me forever if I made them some homemade mac. I love that you used the mozz and cheddar because it would make it a bit more mellow. The bacon was good thinking too!
We all love mac and cheese. I bet my oldest son would gobble up that entire pan.
i love mac n cheese. and then you put bacon on it. and i love you.
It has bacon on it, ENOUGH SAID! Looks super good!
oh that sounds yummy, love how you topped it with bacon!
Oh good grief this dish looks.. breathtaking. LOL! Seriously, that is some pretty mac & cheese! Sounds amazing!
Oh my gosh I want it now! You better believe I am crumbling bacon on top!
Mac and Cheese is my favorite, I love it with goat cheese
Oh how I love homemade mac and cheese. Yours looks amazing!
It sounds like the best!!! No bacon for me, but I always love mac & cheese. This sounds like a fantastic recipe!!
I think I’m going to make this tonight, it sounds a lot better than my mac and cheese recipe
Wow, this looks delicious. I Love mac and cheese.
looks delish; classic comfort food; definitely saving this recipe. Bet the girls loved it
Oh my there is no better comfort food than a big old bowl of macaroni and cheese. YUM!
This sounds so yummy! I love homemade Mac and Cheese!
My husband loves mac and cheese – he will eat it any way it’s made. But I prefer to make it a little more “grown up” I think this recipe would be delicious.
Mmm this looks & sounds so good! I’ve never added bacon to mac and cheese but that sounds amazing.
I love mac and cheese, one of my favorite foods so thanks for the recipe!
Totally trying this recipe! We’ve been making the same homemade mac and cheese recipe for years (with bacon!). Love making it from scratch.
this looks amazing, thanks!
Macaroni and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. I love a lot of cheese. The cheesier the better!
Oh my husband would LOVE this!!
Oh my gosh, that looks heavenly. I haven’t made homemade mac and cheese in a long time. I need to do it!
This sounds so good! My 9 year old loves Mac & Cheese more than anything else. He would eat it at every meal if he was allowed. Oddly enough my other son won’t eat it and never would.
I am not usually a fan of mac and cheese from scratch, but every so often I get a hankering for some! I agree with Stacey about increasing the dry mustard, too.
I love Mac N Cheese.. my perfect comfort food and your recipe looks delicious.. YUMM.. I know what we will dish up tonight.. not sure what to add (not like I need something to go with..lol).. but deff. making this.. thanks for sharing
i am definitely trying this!!! my family LOVES mac and cheese and love the touch of bacon
My love macaroni, thanks for the recipe, going to try this one, it looks so good. Oh and the dry mustard is something that I never heard of of before, would never have thought of putting it in macaroni.
It looks so yummy! love the pics btw 🙂
This sounds soooo yummy! I need to try this exact recipe.
Looks delicious, thanks for the recipe, I pinned for later
Yum looks so good
Love Mac and Cheese. I use my mother-in-laws recipes which I enjoy. I think it is time to try a new recipe.
I make a very similar mac ‘n cheese. So delicious!
Great recipe!
Oh wow!! this sounds so much better than my own homemade mac and cheese, I’m going to give this one a try, thanks for sharing
LOVE THIS RECIPE.
Bacon on macaroni & cheese, why didn’t I think of that, sounds delicious!
I love macaroni and cheese and this recipe looks like a favourite.
My kids love this! Thanks for sharing, it is now part of our regular menu and I bet I make it once a week.
What is the serving size on this recipie
Lots! lol, I’d say 10-12 – just because it’s so filling.
I’ve been looking for a good homemade mac & cheese recipe. This looks scrumptious. Thanks for the recipe!
I love how simple the ingredients are! I think have to make this in the next 48 hours. I’m going to check if I have any bacon in the freezer now…
My all time favorite food in the whole world! I’ve got it pinned. Thank you!
I just love your classic Mac and Cheese, it looks so good! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
I’m a big believer in adding dry mustard to cheese sauces. A must!
True comfort food; this sounds so yummy
Just finding this recipe and wanted to try it, but I’m confused by the 1/3 teaspoon? I’ve never seen that. My teaspoons are 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2. Has anyone else had this problem?
Very odd, I have one – just take your 1/2 and on’t fill it entirely full.
This is exactly how I make it. The mustard adds a little zest. Want to put it over the top? Melt a stick and a half of butter, and add a tube of crushed saltines and coat. Then, put the buttery saltine mix on top and spread it flat to the edges, and then bake. It adds a whole new layer of comfort flavor
Mmm…this reminds me of the good old fashioned Mac and cheese that my grandmother used to make. So delicious! Looks great 🙂
Love the mac and cheese,
The only thing I do is I put Montreal steak spice ,a dash of regular mustard, fresh ground pepper and top it with grated cheese, and 6 slices of bacon
Great addition!!
Hello! Delicious recipe 🙂 wonder what flour did you use? thanks!
All purpose. 🙂