Published: · Modified: by Lois · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links · 17 Comments
Let me show you how to ditch the box and make this Easy Mac and Cheese homemade recipe for dinner tonight.
This homemade mac and cheese recipe is perfect for those times when you're craving a quick and tasty meal on its own or as a delicious side dish to chicken or beef.
Check out all the otherFamily Dinner Ideas available to help you get dinner on the table every night for your family!
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (1) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (1)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese-served-from-Walking-on-Sunshine-Recipes.jpg)
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, Dutch Oven Whole Chicken or even grilled chicken sandwiches.I even enjoy eating a bowl of mac and cheese as the perfect comfort food after a long crazy day.
Check out this recipe for a gluten free mac and cheese made with gluten-free pasta for a deliciously satisfying substitute.
Table of Contents
- Helpful Baking Tools
- 📋Ingredients
- What kind of cheese is best?
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- Add the Cheese
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- ❄️How to Freeze Homemade Mac and Cheese
- 🔁Reheat Frozen Mac and Cheese
- 🌟Try these recipes next...
- 📇Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
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📋Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.
- 1package 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.
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (7) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (7)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Ingredients-for-Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese.jpg)
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
- Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- Step 1: Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
- Step 2: Remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. Allow the flour mixture to cook for a minute.
- Step 3: Now add the milk. Stir constantly until the mixture returns to boiling and starts to thicken.
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (8) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (8)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/How-to-make-cream-sauce-for-Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese.jpg)
Add the Cheese
- Step 4: Add the chicken bouillon cube and mustard to the cream sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in TWO cups of cheese. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir until everything is combined.
- Step 6: Stir in the cooked pasta and pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle top with remaining one cup of cheese.
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (9) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (9)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/How-to-make-cheese-sauce-for-Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese.jpg)
Baking Instructions
- Bake 15-20 minutes in a preheated 375°F oven or until the cheese on top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (10) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (10)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese-served-from-Walking-on-Sunshine-Recipes.jpg)
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, pleaseleave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (11) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (11)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese-from-Walking-on-Sunshine-Recipes.jpg)
❄️How to Freeze Homemade 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.
🔁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.
🌟Try these recipes next...
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Asparagus
- German Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Fiesta Corn Salad
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📇Recipe Card
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![Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (13) Easy Mac and Cheese | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (13)](https://i0.wp.com/walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Homemade-Mac-and-Cheese-in-small-white-bowl-from-Walking-on-Sunshine-Recipes-480x480.jpg)
Easy Mac and Cheese
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
This Easy Mac and Cheese is a homemade recipe that's cheesy and delicious!Your family is going to love this recipe.Ditch the box and make this recipe for dinner tonight.
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°F.
- 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 357Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 705mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 16g
The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.
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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!
Reader Interactions
Comments
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!
Reply
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
CharReply
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.
Reply
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.Reply
Lois says
That is so funny! I could eat homemade mac and cheese a few times a week! Thanks for visiting!
Reply
Michele says
I always have room for another mac and cheese recipe. This looks divine! I am ALL about the cheese!Reply
Lois says
Yes, same here. We love cheese too! Thank you for visiting!
Reply
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.
Reply
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
Reply
Carol says
Looks amazing, so cheesy, this would be a favorite in my house as well!
Reply
Sandra says
Oh that looks SO good. YUM!
My son would LOVE this, he is obsessed with Mac and Cheese 🙂
Reply
Cheryl @ TFD says
Mac and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods! I'll try your recipe, thanks!
Reply
April says
YUMMO! I may very well be making this for dinner tonight!
Reply
Debra Hawkins says
Yum... Mac N' Cheese might literally be one of my favorite foods.
Reply
Beth says
I love mac & cheese. It is my favorite comfort food.
Reply
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! 🙂
Reply
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
Reply