Good Ole Fashion Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, filled with nostalgia and cheesy goodness. This classic dish is a perfect blend of creamy sauce and tender elbow macaroni, baked to golden perfection. It’s not overly fancy or complex, but that’s what makes it so endearing.

Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this mac and cheese is sure to please everyone. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can mix in extra ingredients like vegetables or different cheeses, but even on its own, it’s undeniably delicious. If you’re looking for that traditional, warm, and gooey mac and cheese, you’ve come to the right place!

Kitchen Equipment Needed:

Large pot for boiling pasta
Medium saucepan for making cheese sauce
Whisk
Wooden spoon or spatula
9×13 inch baking dish
Measuring cups and spoons
Grater (for shredding cheese)
Colander (for draining pasta)
Aluminum foil

Ingredients:

16 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)

Directions:

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Thicken the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens. Once thickened, add mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Combine with pasta: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until well combined.
Transfer to a baking dish: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Optional topping: If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese.
Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Serve: Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving. Enjoy that creamy, cheesy goodness!

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

30 minutes

Total Time:

45 minutes

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories: 480
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 85mg
Sodium: 450mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Good Ole Fashion Mac and Cheese

Good Ole Fashion Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, filled with nostalgia and cheesy goodness. This classic dish is a perfect blend of creamy sauce and tender elbow macaroni, baked to golden perfection.

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Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Medium saucepan for making cheese sauce
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Grater (for shredding cheese)
- Colander (for draining pasta)
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
16 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon mustard powder optional
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
½ cup breadcrumbs optional, for topping
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Thicken the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens. Once thickened, add mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Combine with pasta: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until well combined.
Transfer to a baking dish: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Optional topping: If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese.
Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Serve: Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving. Enjoy that creamy, cheesy goodness!
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 480
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 85mg
Sodium: 450mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g