Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

If you’re looking for an easy recipe for creamy macaroni and cheese then look no further! This super Creamy Macaroni and Cheese is easy to make on your stovetop for a yummy weeknight meal or pour in casserole dish to bake and take!

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese www.motherthyme.com

I know there is a gazillion recipes for macaroni and cheese! I’ve been a food blogger for over 5 years and have yet posted a classic, everyday go-to macaroni and cheese recipe! It’s about time I did!

My son is a mac and cheese connoisseur and yes I will admit he likes the box stuff from time to time. C’mon what kid doesn’t? I’ll even admit to consuming my fair share of Kraft Mac and Cheese through the years but nothing compares to real down home mac and cheese.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese www.motherthyme.com

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese www.motherthyme.com

I remember the first time making this years ago and it was a little bite of heaven. I made it for a group and I couldn’t believe how everyone went crazy for it. After all it’s just macaroni and cheese. Since then I’ve made this recipe more times then I can remember and tweaked it to make this the ultimate mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted. I have tried a ton of different mac and cheese recipes some very basic using Velveeta and others that were fancy using gouda, fontina and gruyere. This macaroni and cheese doesn’t use another fancy but it does have a secret ingredient that makes this irresistibly creamy. Aside from using a combination of mild and sharp cheddar I also use cream cheese. The cream cheese just melts and blends right into the sauce to make it super smooth and creamy.

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and now that fall is in full swing what better way to enjoy a cozy fall day then with a bowl of this super creamy macaroni and cheese. And once you give this recipe a try you’ll see why it’s my favorite go-to creamy macaroni and cheese recipe that is completely irresistible!

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese www.motherthyme.com

More creamy, cheesy pasta favorites

One-Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pesto Penne Pasta
One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

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Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

  • Author: Jenn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 -10

Ingredients

  • 1 pound box elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 8 ounce package regular cream cheese (cut into cubes)
  • 8 ounce brick mild cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus additional to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus additional to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta to al dente per package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Stir in flour until blended and combined to create a roux.
  4. Gradually stir in milk about 1/2 cup at a time allowing sauce to thicken slightly before adding more.
  5. Once all the milk is added continue to cook, stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
  6. Add in cream cheese and cheeses and stir occasionally until melted.
  7. Stir in cooked macaroni until coated with sauce.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Serve immediately or transfer to a casserole dish and cover until ready to serve.

Notes

To get the best results shred cheese yourself opposed to purchasing pre-packaged shredded cheese. For this recipe an 8 ounce brick of mild cheddar was used then shredded using a grater which makes about 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. I also purchase a block of sharp cheddar and grate 1 cup.

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4 Comments

  1. Can’t wait to try this!! Don’t we all crave comfort food when the cool fall air rolls into town. Thanks for this great recipe!!!

  2. This looks delicious. How can I adapt this to bake in the oven with a bread crumb topping? Would I need to add more moisture?

    1. Hi Karen, You can definitely add a crumb topping and bake in the oven. This is very cheesy so no need for extra moisture. I’ve baked it in the oven too because I love a bread crumb topping. Once I make it on the stovetop I pour the mac and cheese into a casserole dish, add the crumb topping and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or so. It’s delish! Enjoy!

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