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5 from 2 votes

Homemade Mac and Cheese

A traditional creamy 3-cheese sauce and pasta meal made on your stove top.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy, from scratch, old fashioned, traditional
Yield: 8
Calories: 570kcal

Materials

  • 1 lb. large shell pasta (or elbows)
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 cups 2% or whole milk
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  • cracked pepper (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pan and sauté onions until soft, approx. 5 min.
  • Sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and half and half, bring to a low simmer. Stir often for about 5 min. as it thickens.
  • Add shredded cheese 1/2 cup at a time. Stir until melted, add more cheese.
  • Mix in mustard, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir in cream cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
  • Stir in cooked pasta, allow to cook 2 min. Serve immediately, refrigerate left overs.
  • Top with optional cracked pepper. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1012IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 432mg | Iron: 1mg