Creamy Mac & Cheese
Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 | Calories per Serving: 665
Savor the simplicity of our creamy mac and cheese – tender elbow macaroni bathed in a smooth fusion of sharp cheddar and creamy gruyere. This recipe promises pure comfort, with just a handful of ingredients delivering a cheesy delight that's impossible to resist.
INGREDIENTS
1lbs elbow macaroni or shells
24oz shredded cheese (i.e. sharp cheddar, colby jack, mozzarella)
4 oz Velveeta cheese (cubed)
12oz evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 1/2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp mustard powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chicken seasoning
Salt & pepper (to taste)DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and pasta to the pot. Cook according to the package's instructions. Drain pasta once al dente, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Set pasta and reserved water aside for Step 7.
STEP 2
Preheat oven to 400°F.
STEP 3
Grate 2 1/2 cups of cheese using the largest shredding holes and set aside for Steps 6 & 8.
STEP 4
Heat butter in a large pot. Add the flour and stir to combine, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add the evaporated milk to the pan slowly, stirring until it combines with the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes and slowly add the heavy cream to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
STEP 5
Add the mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the sauce and bring to a boil for 1 minutes. Reduce to a simmer.
STEP 6
Add 10oz of the shredded cheese and 4oz of Velveeta cheese to the pot, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and adding in reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
STEP 7
Add the cooked macaroni to the pot and toss to evenly coat pasta in the cheese sauce.
STEP 8
Remove pot from heat and transfer pasta into a baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
STEP 8
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Broil for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden brown. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve with BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, or your favorite comfort food.Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
665 calories | 29.9g protein | 65.1g carbs | 32.9g fat
Make It Vegan
For a plant-based twist on a beloved classic, substitute the following ingredients in this recipe to craft a vegan version of Creamy Mac & Cheese:Shredded Cheese <> Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese (i.e. Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar)
Butter <> Vegan Butter (i.e. Earth Balance, Miyoko's Organic Vegan Butter)
Evaporated Milk <> Dairy-Free Milk Alternative (i.e. Creamy Oat Milk)