Nothing says comfort food like macaroni and cheese! Forget buying from the box and learn how to make homemade macaroni and cheese from scratch. It’s very easy, and it’s creamy and cheesy!

If you want a creamier version, you can use cream instead of milk – but for a lighter version, use milk instead.

Here’s my recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

3 tbsp Butter
1/4 cup Flour
1 Bay leaf
3 cups Milk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Dash each of sea salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (either old or white old)
2 cups elbow pasta
1 tbsp butter
1 cup bread crumbs

Method:

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Blend in flour and add bay leaf. Cook stirring for 30 seconds. Pour in 1 cup of the milk, whisking until mixture comes to a boil and becomes thick.

Pour in rest of milk in a slow stream, whisking constantly, until comes to a full boil. Reduce heat to low.

Stir in cheese until melted. Remove bay leaf and add mustard, salt and a pinch of cayenne and nutmeg (optional). Keep on low, stirring often.

Meanwhile, cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling water until cooked. Drain. Stir into cheese sauce until well-coated. Spoon into a buttered 2L deep casserole dish.

Melt butter and toss with bread crumbs and sprinkle over top of macaroni.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 20 minutes or until top is slightly brown.

Enjoy!

Author

Maria Lianos-Carbone is the author of “Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year”, and publisher of amotherworld.com, a leading lifestyle blog for women.

22 Comments

  1. Although I rarely make homemade mac and cheese (I don’t know why!), I’d love to try your recipe. It looks easy enough and so delicious!

  2. Honestly home-made mac and cheese is the BEST. One can use any type of cheese & noodles and I find the kids like it better too

  3. kristen visser Reply

    ooo bookmarked ! I have made homemade macaroni and cheese before but not with bread crumbs! will try that next time

  4. Tracie Cooper Reply

    My hubby loves mac and cheese and I would love to make this one for hi!

  5. BobbiJo Pentney Reply

    I am always interesting in trying new ideas to keep the kids interested in helping out.

  6. LILLIAN BROWN Reply

    I have never made homemade macaroni and cheese before but will try it now,

  7. Dana Rodriguez Reply

    This is something I have never been able to make right. Thanks for the recipe!

  8. Lynda Cook Reply

    Homemade mac and cheese is the best and I prefer it over the boxed stuff anytime!!

  9. Christina Ziegelmeier Reply

    I tried to make homemade Macaroni and Cheese a few weeks ago and it was way more complicated than this. I cant wait to try again with your recipe.

  10. I have never made homemade mac & cheese. This looks so good. I would love some right now.

  11. I love me some homemade mac and cheese! I have been craving it for a few weeks now so I think I will follow your lead and make some on one of the rainier days. See, I make my mac & cheese with the scoobi-doo pasta – just love that stuff!

  12. Mmmm I love me some macaroni and cheese, always on the lookout for variations!

  13. LILLIAN BROWN Reply

    Thanks Looks tasty and this recipe would be easy to make

  14. Elizabeth Vlug Reply

    Pure comfort food. And you can never have too much cheese. And a crunchy topping. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Marilyn Legault Reply

    Sounds so good. My grand daughter is stuck on Kraft dinner only 🙁

  16. Lynda Cook Reply

    Thanks for the great and easy recipe, I am making it tonight for supper, yumm!!

  17. nicoleroannef Reply

    I’ve never made homemade macaroni and cheese before. This inspires me to give it a try.

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