Easy Mac and Cheese that's cheesy and delicious! Let me show you how to ditch the box and make this homemade recipe for dinner tonight. This recipe is the perfect side dish to any of my family's favorite Chicken Cutlet Recipes.
Seems easy enough yet there are so many different ways to prepare mac and cheese for your family's dinner. For some people, it means opening a box and boiling some water. Other's might pull a box out of the freezer.
But after you read this post I hope you'll see that making homemade Easy Mac and Cheese is so much better than a box...really!
This recipe makes the perfect side dish for Breaded Italian Style Chicken Cutlets, grilled chicken sandwiches or hamburgers. I even enjoy eating a bowl of mac and cheese as the perfect comfort food after a long crazy day.
Helpful Baking Tools
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, click here.
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Ingredients
Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later!
- 1 package pasta; 16 ounce size
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- Mustard - your favorite. I like to use Dijon but have used a spicy mustard at times as well.
- Milk
- chicken bouillon cube - I know this sounds strange, but I like to add a cube of chicken bouillon for extra flavor.
- 3 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded and divided.
What kind of cheese is best?
For a traditional mac and cheese recipe, cheddar cheese is best. You can use a combination of sharp or medium cheddar cheese. I always use a medium cheddar cheese.
Other cheeses that work great for mac and cheese are:
- Gouda
- Gruyère - this cheese melts beautifully.
- Parmesan - is great to use as a topping for mac and cheese.
- Monterey Jack - also works good and is one of the cheeses I use for the Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe also on this site.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1 | Prepare the Sauce
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
- Remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and mustard and stir until smooth.
- Now add the milk and stir constantly until the mixture returns to boiling and starts to thicken.
Step 2 | Add the Cheese
- Remove from heat and stir in TWO cups of cheese. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir until everything is combined.
- Stir in pasta and pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle top with remaining one cup of cheese.
Step 3 | Baking Instructions
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Tried any of my recipes? Let me know in the comments!
How to Freeze Mac and Cheese
- If you want to freeze the mac and cheese, use a freezer-safe pan. I like to use aluminum pans.
- After the mac and cheese has baked, allow it come to room temperature.
- Don't try to freeze mac and cheese while it's still hot or ice crystals may start to form on top.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Homemade Mac and Cheese can be frozen for up to two months.
How to Reheat Frozen Mac and Cheese
- Remove from the casserole from the freezer the night before and allow it to defrost in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven until warm.
- You can also reheat the casserole frozen. Keep it covered with the aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or until warmed all the way through.
You might also Enjoy these Side Dish Recipes:
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Asparagus
- German Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Fiesta Corn Salad
Easy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 package pasta; 16 ounces
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. mustard
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat.
- Stir in flour, salt, pepper, chicken bouillon cube and mustard and stir until smooth.
- Now add the milk and stir constantly until boiling.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of cheese.
- Reduce heat to low and continue to stir until everything is combined.
- Stir in pasta and pour into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Notes
I like to add a chicken bouillon cube for added flavor.
HOW TO FREEZE MAC AND CHEESE
- If you want to freeze the mac and cheese, use a freezer-safe pan. I like to use aluminum pans.
- After the mac and cheese has baked, allow it come to room temperature.
- Don’t try to freeze mac and cheese while it’s still hot or ice crystals may start to form on top.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Homemade Mac and Cheese can be frozen for up to two months.
HOW TO REHEAT FROZEN MAC AND CHEESE
- Remove from the casserole from the freezer the night before and allow it to defrost in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven until warm.
- You can also reheat the casserole frozen.
- Keep it covered with the aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or until warmed all the way through.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2013 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Diane D. says
I used to make mac and cheese every Wednesday for our youth church night and the kids LOVED it!! My recipe was nearly the same as yours but I used Velveeta cheese and put it in the crockpot to bake. There was never a noodle left!
Char says
I’ve made your Mac and Cheese but don’t want to bake it till the next day.
Will there be any problems doing this?
Do I need to add any more liquid to it before baking?
Thank you
Char
Lois says
I have never tried this but I do think it will be fine! I wouldn't add any extra liquid. Let me know how everything comes out after you bake it. Thank you for visiting my site.
Mary says
Lois this looks so mouthwatering good. I am definitely going to make this. Show my daughter what a real mac and cheese is and not that boxy stuff.
Lois says
That is so funny! I could eat homemade mac and cheese a few times a week! Thanks for visiting!
Michele says
I always have room for another mac and cheese recipe. This looks divine! I am ALL about the cheese!
Lois says
Yes, same here. We love cheese too! Thank you for visiting!
Joanne DiPalo says
Love this recipe, mine is very similar, I love adding the mustard. Now I just need the time to cook tonight. Pinning/sharing.
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
This looks simple and delicious! I'm featuring it today...thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/03/featuring-you_20.html
Carol says
Looks amazing, so cheesy, this would be a favorite in my house as well!
Sandra says
Oh that looks SO good. YUM!
My son would LOVE this, he is obsessed with Mac and Cheese 🙂
Cheryl @ TFD says
Mac and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods! I'll try your recipe, thanks!
April says
YUMMO! I may very well be making this for dinner tonight!
Debra Hawkins says
Yum... Mac N' Cheese might literally be one of my favorite foods.
Beth says
I love mac & cheese. It is my favorite comfort food.
Liz says
I make the same Mac & Cheese...it's from Martha's 101 recipe. Love it, and I think it's one of the best recipes out there, and EASY! 🙂
Debbie says
Good morning! Oh my does this sound good! Everyone over here would love it I know! Hope all is well with you Lois and you are recovering nicely! Enjoy your day! HUGS