Mac and cheese is one of those comfort foods that almost everyone loves. It’s warm, creamy, and the perfect choice for a cozy, comforting meal.
Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese recipes can be time-consuming and fiddly, requiring lots of pots and pans and hovering over a stove for a while. If you’re looking for a simple and speedy mac and cheese recipe, these are our top tips.
Choose the right pasta shape
When it comes to making mac and cheese, not all pasta shapes are created equal. Some shapes are better at holding onto the sauce than others, so take time to consider your options.
In general, smaller shapes like elbow macaroni, cavatappi, and gemelli work better than larger shapes like penne or rigatoni, which can leave you with pockets of pasta with no sauce.
Make a roux
The creamy sauce that makes mac and cheese so delicious is made from a roux. A roux is a mixture of melted butter and flour that’s used to thicken sauces and soups.
To make a roux, melt a few tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in an equal amount of flour. Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes until it’s smooth and bubbly. This is the base of your sauce.
Add milk and cheese
Once you’ve made your roux, whisk in a cup or two of milk. You can use any kind of milk you like – whole milk will make the sauce the creamiest, but lower fat milks work too. Once the milk is incorporated, add shredded cheese.
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Again, you can use any kind of cheese you like, but cheddar is the classic choice. Stir the mixture until the cheese is melted and you have a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Combine it all together and bake (optional)
Once you’ve made your pasta and sauce, it’s time to bring everything together. You can do this on the stovetop by stirring the pasta into the sauce, or you can go the extra mile and bake it.
To do this, pour your pasta and sauce into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs or more shredded cheese, and bake in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Add some extras
If you’re feeling fancy, there are plenty of extras you can add to your mac and cheese to make it even more delicious. Some great additions include:.
- Crispy bacon bits
- Caramelized onions
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
Conclusion
Making mac and cheese doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple tricks, you can have a delicious, comforting meal on the table in no time.
Choose the right pasta shape, make a roux, add milk and cheese, and combine everything together. If you’re feeling fancy, add some extras like bacon bits or sautéed mushrooms. Whatever you do, make sure you savor every bite!.
