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    Home » Recipes » Easy Homemade White Mac and Cheese

    Easy Homemade White Mac and Cheese

    February 21, 2021 by Melinda

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This creamy white mac and cheese is so easy and delicious that you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

    Why is this the BEST white mac and cheese recipe?

    This white mac and cheese is also a frequent guest at my gatherings as it:

    • feeds a crowd
    • keeps well in a slow cooker
    • is ready in under 20 minutes
    • it only has 6 ingredients
    • consists mostly of staple ingredients (white American cheese is definitely a staple in my house).

    Handy recipe to have, right?

    Copycat Panera white mac and cheese recipe

    I first created this recipe for my youngest daughter. Aka: the picky eater.

    The one thing she was always guaranteed to eat was Panera’s mac and cheese.

    What I wasn’t counting on was that she would like it so much that she traded her affection of Panera’s mac and cheese for mine.

    I quickly learned I could easily modify the amounts for single serving size as well. Phew!

    What is the best cheese for white mac and cheese?

    White American Cheese is the secret ingredient to incredibly creamy and delicious homemade white mac and cheese.  It creates that smooth, thick, and cheesy sauce signature white mac and cheese sauce.  

    How to make an easy and quick homemade white mac and cheese

     

    Boil your pasta

    Begin by boiling water and cooking your pasta of choice per package recommendations for “al dente”.

    Make a roux for the white sauce

    While the pasta is cooking, make the roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and a fat (in this case butter) that is used as a base and thickening agent for the sauce.

    Add the butter to a medium-large heavy sauce pan and melt over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and stir well.

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.
     

    Simmer over medium heat 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to cook out the “flour” taste.

     

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.
     

    Make the bechamel

    Slowly add the milk while stirring constantly until well combined.

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.
     

    Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and thickened.

    At this point the sauce is referred to as a bechamel, or white sauce.

    Bechamels are used as a base in many french recipes or when making creamy sausage gravy.

    Stayed tuned as you’ll be seeing this again soon in some of my upcoming recipes. I have a suspicion that a croque madame is coming soon.

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.

    Add the white American Cheese

    Next, add the shredded white American cheese and salt.

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.
     

    Stir well until all of the cheese is melted and the sauce is heated through. Remove from the heat.

    Just look at this creamy, dreamy, cheesy sauce!

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.
     

    Combine the pasta and cheese sauce

    Drain the pasta and add to the yummy sauce. Fold in gently and then let the pasta sit in the sauce for at least 3 minutes to allow the sauce to absorb and get into all of the nooks and crannies.

    Enjoy!

     
    Missouri Girl Homemade White Mac and Cheese. Creamy, delicious, and rivals any restaurant mac and cheese you have ever tried. Missouri Girl Blog.Look
     

    Looking for additional pasta recipes? Check out this Cacio e pepe (Cheese and pepper noodles)

    a bowl of homemade white mac and cheese with a sprinkle of black pepper

    Easy Homemade White Mac and Cheese

    Melinda | Missouri Girl
    This easy homemade white mac and cheese is better than any store bought or restaurant mac and cheese and can be made ahead of time and kept in a crock pot for large gatherings.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 stick salted butter
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • 3 cups milk
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 16 oz shredded white American cheese
    • 1 lb medium dried pasta shells

    Instructions
     

    • First make the pasta per manufacturers instructions for ‘al dente” in a large pot.
    • While the pasta cooks, add the butter to a large heavy saucepan.
    • Melt the butter over medium heat.
    • Add the flour and stir well.
    • Cook over medium low heat for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.
    • Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
    • Increase heat to medium and simmer for about 5-10 minutes until the sauce is thick and creamy.
    • Add the salt and shredded cheese.
    • Stir until the sauce is smooth and the cheese is completely melted.
    • Remove from the heat.
    • Drain the pasta and add back into the large pot.
    • Add to the cheese sauce to the pasta.
    • Gently fold in and allow to sit for about 3 minutes.
    • Serve immediately or keep warm in a slow cooker. 
    Keyword American cheese, kids pasta, mac and cheese
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    Melinda at countertop of MissouriGirl.com I’m Melinda. I’m a wife, mother, physical therapist, runner, and a born and bred Missouri Girl. I love creating a cozy home on a budget and created Missouri Girl Home to bring inspiring, beautiful, and budget-friendly ideas to your home. Read more about Mel.

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