There are some recipes that taste like home and this easy homemade mac and cheese is one of them. It’s a simple homemade recipe with only a few ingredients and comes to you from my grandmother’s kitchen by way of my mom. Many families cherish their own versions of this Southern classic. I’m so glad to share ours.
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Homemade Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese from scratch doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. In fact, this homemade mac and cheese is as straightforward a recipe as you’ll see on Sweet New Roots, and a family favorite at that. I will warn you: it doesn’t have a super cheesy flavor like you’ll get from stovetop versions, so if that’s what you’re looking for this recipe may not be for you.
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and drained
- 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, divided (12 ounces cubed, 4 ounces shredded)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 cups whole milk
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the baking dish and place 12 ounces of cubed sharp cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter throughout the dish. Add milk.
- Top the dish with half of the shredded cheese, cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes or until the milk has been absorbed and no liquid remains.
- Pull the baked mac and cheese out of the oven, remove the foil and sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over the top. Pop back into the oven for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Top with fresh cracked black pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Cheese varieties that work equally as well as sharp cheddar include Colby and medium cheddar.
- Whole milk adds creaminess to this mac and cheese recipe, but low-fat or skim milk work just fine.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Sides
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
So yummy! I added bacon and it was a huge hit with our kids!
Thanks so much for the 5-star review! I’m so glad your family enjoyed this recipe!