• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • Contact
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Google Plus! Follow me via RSS!

I Heart Eating

Recipes for people who love to eat.

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
      • Work with Me
    • Rules and Disclosures
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Press

Home » Dinners » Vegetarian » Homemade Mac and Cheese

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Posted by: Kate / Dinners, Pasta, Vegetarian / Posted: 07/14/18 / Last updated: 09/16/19

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe -

Homemade mac and cheese recipe is a stovetop dinner recipe that makes the best macaroni and cheese! Easy comfort food that can be ready in under 30 minutes!
Homemade mac and cheese in a hammered metal dish

Homemade mac and cheese was a staple in my house when I was growing up, and now it's one of my kids' favorite dinners.

It's cheesy, creamy, and just total comfort food. I keep everything I need to make macaroni and cheese on-hand because it makes an easy dinner that I can toss together in less than 30 minutes. 

How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese

Homemade mac and cheese sauce

Homemade mac and cheese starts with equal parts butter and flour that are cooked to form a roux.

Dry mustard, salt, and pepper are then added for flavor.

Whisk in the milk until well combined. Cook, whisking regularly, until the milk mixture has thickened. It should coat the back of a spoon once it's ready.

Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the cheese a little at a time until it is melted and combined.

Drain the pasta, and return it to the pot. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta, and stir to combine.

Homemade Mac and Cheese in a dark metal dish on a wooden cutting board

Best Pasta for Macaroni and Cheese

Aside from classic elbow macaroni, there are several other pastas that are a good choice for mac and cheese. The best choices are pastas that have shape and/or texture (not spaghetti noodles).

Large shell pasta is one of my favorites because the shape is perfect to catch all the cheese sauce. Rotini, cavatappi, and gemelli are all good choices.

Best Cheese for Homemade Mac and Cheese

I recommend using a block cheese for this recipe. Some shredded cheeses have anti-caking agents that interfere with melting.

Sharp cheddar and white cheddar are both good choices. Both pack a lot of flavor and melt well.

Another option is to combine more than one type of cheese. Fontina, gruyère, and parmesan are all great choices that pair well with other cheese.

Homemade mac and cheese in a dark gray dish with a dark gray spoon

More Pasta Recipes!

  • Easy One-Skillet Lasagna
  • Homemade Hamburger Helper
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese

If you’ve tried this homemade mac and cheese recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Easy homemade mac and cheese recipe
Author:I Heart Eating
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy stovetop mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese recipe
Homemade mac and cheese in a hammered metal dish
Print Rate
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dry elbow macaroni or large shells
  • 1⁄4 cup butter
  • 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk1
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese2 (in small cubes or grated)

Instructions

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  • In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; stir in flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly to form a roux.
  • Add dry mustard, salt, and pepper; whisk in to combine. 
  • Slowly whisk in milk, and whisk until well-combined.
  • Cook, whisking regularly, until thickened. You don't want mixture to boil. 
  • Remove from heat, and stir in cheese a little at a time until fully melted and combined.
  • Drain macaroni.
  • Return macaroni to pot, and pour cheese sauce over the top. Toss to combine.

Notes

  1. I've used everything from skim to whole milk. The more fat in the milk, the creamier the sauce.
  2. I suggest using a good-quality block of cheese rather than a shredded cheese. Some shredded cheese have anti-caking agents that can prevent melting.
  3. Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 346kcal (17%)Carbohydrates: 45g (15%)Protein: 16g (32%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 6g (30%)Cholesterol: 30mg (10%)Sodium: 205mg (9%)Potassium: 249mg (7%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 410IU (8%)Calcium: 291mg (29%)Iron: 0.9mg (5%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @i_heart_eating on Instagram and hashtag it #ihearteating.
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Email
Easy Sticky Buns
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Reader Interactions

Join the Conversation

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Rate this recipe:




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Angela W Broyles says

    April 3, 2020 at 10:27 am

    5 stars
    This is delicious!! we loved it- thanks!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 3, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that. Thanks for commenting! =)

      Reply
  2. Kristy says

    September 16, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    Your recipe doesn’t say when to add the dry mustard

    Reply
    • Kate says

      September 16, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks! I’ve fixed that.

      Reply
  3. Chris fisher says

    August 18, 2019 at 9:10 am

    Looks awesome, I will be cooking it tonight for the family

    Reply
    • Kate says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:14 am

      Thanks! My family loves this recipe, and I hope yours will, too. =)

      Reply
  4. viky says

    October 11, 2018 at 6:29 pm

    5 stars
    it looks so good

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 11, 2018 at 8:08 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Kylee says

    August 15, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    OMG!! So much better than the stuff in the box! I will make this again and again.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      August 15, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting. =)

      Reply
    • viky says

      October 11, 2018 at 6:28 pm

      it looks good

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

I'm Kate Dean- mom to four young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family's favorite tried-and-true recipes.

Read More »

Subscribe via email

to stay in the loop on new posts!

Featured On

Footer

Instant Pot

Plate of Instant Pot ziti topped with melted mozzarella cheese

Instant Pot Ziti

Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese on a stoneware plate

Instant Pot Italian Mac and Cheese

Popular Posts

Stack of brownie cookies with a bit missing

Brownie Cookie Recipe

Easiest chocolate chip cookies on a tan silicone baking mat

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Cookie Recipes

Chocolate peanut butter cookies on a wooden cutting board

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Tray of doubletree chocolate chip cookies

Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Stack of M&M cookie bars on a piece of parchment paper

M&M Cookie Bars

Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Google Plus! Follow me via RSS!
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
Copyright © 2021 I Heart EatingTheme by Once Coupled & Melissa Rose Design