This Best Simple Mac and Cheese Recipe is a cinch to whip up in 30 minutes or less, and makes for a delicious and satisfying meal for the whole family. This no bake mac and cheese packs all the same comforting flavors of traditional mac and cheese in just a few easy steps.
Prep Time: 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 25 minutesminutes
0 minutesminutes
Total Time: 30 minutesminutes
Servings:4servings
Ingredients
12ouncessmall pasta noodles like elbows or shells
2teaspoons olive oil
3tablespoonsbutter
3tablespoonsflour
2 ½cupswhole milk, see note
½teaspoongarlic powder
2cupsfreshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Add pasta to a pot of boiling salted water, boil til tender, then drain and rinse with cold water. Toss pasta with 2 teaspoons oil and set aside.
In a large skillet melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in flour. Very gradually whisk in 2 cups milk until smooth and creamy. Stir in garlic powder.
Stir in cheese until completely melted and fully incorporated. Add a little milk if needed (up to 1/2 cup) to thin the sauce if it is too thick for your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in cooked pasta and serve. Garnish with cracked black pepper and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Feeds 4 adults or 4-6 people when feeding small kids.The cheese: make sure to use freshly grated cheese and not pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is packaged with a coating that keeps it from sticking together in the package, but also keeps it from melting properly and will give your sauce a grainy texture. The milk: low fat content can give your sauce a grainy texture, I suggest a higher fat content (whole milk works great!) for a super creamy, rich sauce.