Everyday Creamy, Cheesy Mac & Cheese

To make it all in one pot, prepare the cheese mixture in a stovetop safe and oven-proof pot or dutch oven (cast iron or similar pots). Then add the cooked macaroni and the oven proof vessel goes directly into the oven. If you don't have an oven proof pot, then after you've made the cheese mixture with the pasta, just transfer it to an oven proof baking dish.

You can double this recipe if you want to serve more people.

Total Time45

Servings: servings

Calories: 683kcal

Ingredients

8 oz. (227g) package of macaroni pasta (this is half of a 16 oz package)
1/2 cup (one stick or 113g) butter
1 onion , minced (optional) or 1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup (30g) flour , or more if needed if you want a thick cheese sauce
3 cups (720ml) milk
16 oz (455g) cheddar cheese , grated (about 3 cups)
1 cup (240ml) grated parmesan cheese , divided
1 teaspoon salt , or to personal taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup (60ml) bread crumbs
minced parsley for topping (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large 9-inch x 12-inch baking dish - see headnote.
In a large oven safe pot, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Bring the same pot back to the stove and prepare the cheese and milk mixture. On medium heat, add butter and onion. Cook onions until soft, then add flour, stirring quickly to combine the flour and onion mixture. Break up all the flour clumps.
Add milk and continue stirring to make sure the flour dissolves completely. Allow milk mixture to come to a boil and sauce will thicken.
Reduce heat to low and add cheddar cheese and about 3/4 cup of the parmesan cheese (reserve remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese for topping).
Add cooked pasta to the pot with cheese mixture. Gently mix together. At this point you can just use the oven safe pot to continue baking. If you're using another baking dish, then pour mixture into baking dish.
Add remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on top.
Add remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on top.(optional you can add a few chunks of butter over the bread crumbs)
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted with a nice crust. Top with minced parsley, if desired.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Nutrition