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American
American Mac and Cheese Side
30 min total10 prep20 cook6 servings420 cal
VegetarianClassicContains glutenContains dairy
Ultra-creamy American mac and cheese with a sharp cheddar sauce and baked golden top. The ultimate comfort side dish for barbecues and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
pantry
- 450 gelbow macaroni
- 3 tbspall-purpose flour
- 0.5 tspmustard powder
- 1 tspsalt
- 0.5 tspblack pepper
dairy
- 3 cupsharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cupwhole milk
- 4 tbspunsalted butter
Steps
- Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente; drain.
- Melt butter in a pot and whisk in flour; cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk, stirring until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in mustard, salt, pepper, and most of the cheese until melted.
- Fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Transfer to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Broil 2 minutes until top is golden brown.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Undercook pasta slightly so it stays firm after baking.
- Use a mix of cheddar and gruyere for depth of flavor.
- Stir constantly when making the cheese sauce to prevent lumps.
- Broil briefly at the end for a bubbly golden crust.
