Mac & Cheese

Name: Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: United States
Ingredients: 250 g of pasta ((elbow macaroni...)); 40 g of butter; 40 g of flour; 50 cl of whole milk; 200 g of cheddar (grated); 50 g of parmesan (grated); 1 tsp of mustard; 1 pinch of nutmeg; salt; pepper; 50 g of breadcrumbs ((for the topping))

5,01 review

Mac & Cheese is a baked pasta dish in a cheddar béchamel sauce. 🧀 It's a comforting dish with a golden, crusty topping.

Total time: 40 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 25 min
Rest: 2 min
Difficulty: Easy
Per person: €0.95

By the CookinBreak team

Goes well with

🎅 Christmas: all recipes

As a starter

Three Bean Salad

17 minEasy

For dessert

5.0

Chocolate Chip Muffins

35 minEasy

To drink

Christmas Cranberry & Spice Punch

25 minEasy

Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

550kcal

Protein22 g16%
Carbs55 g39%
Fat28 g45%
Fiber2 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

🧀 Add a mix of cheeses for even more flavor! Gruyère, comté or mozzarella will make it even stretchier and more indulgent! 🤩🔥

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes

Works very well baked, up to 3 months in an airtight container. Reheat directly in the oven.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Keeps for 3 to 4 days max in an airtight container in the fridge.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

Can be assembled the day before, baked or not. Keep refrigerated before baking.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Oven is ideal: 20-30 min at 160-170°C (covered then uncovered). Air fryer: 10-15 min at 160°C. Microwave possible but the texture is altered.

Variations

Add bacon or bacon bits.
Mix the cheddar with other melting cheeses.
Bake without breadcrumbs for a creamier dish.

Mistakes to avoid

Overcooking the pasta: cook it al dente, it finishes in the oven.
Burning the roux: whisk for 1-2 minutes for a blond roux.
Pouring in the milk all at once: add it gradually while whisking.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make mac and cheese?

Cook the pasta al dente, make a roux with butter and flour, add the milk while whisking, then the cheddar, parmesan, mustard and nutmeg. Mix with the pasta, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake for 10-15 minutes at 200 °C.

How do you make the cheese sauce for mac and cheese?

Melt 40 g of butter, add 40 g of flour for a blond roux, pour in 50 cl of milk while whisking, let thicken, then add 200 g of cheddar and 50 g of parmesan.

Why top it with breadcrumbs?

Breadcrumbs sprinkled over the dish give a crunchy crust on top of the creamy pasta. Bake at 200 °C for 10 to 15 minutes, until the top is golden.

Which pasta should you choose for mac and cheese?

Use 250 g of elbow macaroni or other short pasta, cooked al dente in salted water. Toss it in the sauce to coat it well before pouring it into the dish.