Craving the ultimate comfort food that'll make your taste buds dance? Get ready to discover Rachel's Mac and Cheese - the creamy, cheesy masterpiece that'll transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience! This isn't just another mac and cheese recipe; it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that combines simple ingredients with foolproof cooking techniques to create a dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe even thirds)!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 ounces of elbow macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of butter, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux. The mixture should be bubbly and slightly golden.
- Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- When the macaroni is cooked, drain it in a colander and return it to the pot. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir well to combine, ensuring that all the pasta is coated with the creamy cheese sauce.
- Cook the mac and cheese over low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat through. This step allows the flavors to meld together.
- Once heated, remove the pot from the heat. Serve the mac and cheese hot, garnished with additional shredded cheese or black pepper if desired. Enjoy your delicious homemade Rachel's Mac and Cheese!
Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest, most luxurious sauce - pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- Cook your pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the hot cheese sauce.
- Whisk continuously when making the roux and adding milk to prevent lumps and ensure a silky smooth sauce.
- For extra richness, you can substitute some of the milk with heavy cream or add a splash of cream cheese to the sauce.
- If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little extra milk. If it's too thin, continue cooking to reduce and thicken.
- For a crispy top, transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to set and become even creamier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 65mg
