About this Dish
Elbow pasta baked or stovetop-stirred into a blanket of melted cheese sauce.
History & Origin
Macaroni and cheese became an American staple after Thomas Jefferson served a version at an 1802 state dinner, and it has been a national comfort food ever since.
IngredientsServes 2
🍝Elbow macaroni, 300g
🧀Sharp cheddar cheese, 250g freshly grated
🧀Gruyère cheese, 100g freshly grated
🥛Whole milk, 480ml
🧈Unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons
🌾All-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons
🧂Salt, 1 teaspoon, plus more for pasta water
🫙Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon
🌶️Smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
🧄Garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon
Method
1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni for 1 minute less than the package directions say, so it stays slightly firm. Drain and set aside.2
In the same pot over medium heat, melt the butter until foamy. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells slightly nutty and looks pale golden.3
Slowly pour in the milk a little at a time, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Keep stirring and cooking for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.4
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Add the grated cheddar and Gruyère in two or three handfuls, stirring each addition until fully melted before adding the next.5
Add the drained pasta back into the cheese sauce and stir well to coat every piece evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or a pinch of paprika if needed.6
Serve straight from the pot for a creamy stovetop version, or transfer to a buttered baking dish, top with a little extra grated cheddar, and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.User Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Sign in to leave a review
Members can create lists, save favourites and get recommendations.
Find the Best Mac and Cheese Near Me
AI-powered — Google, TripAdvisor and food blogs
🌍 Food Vlogs
Food vloggers eating and cooking it at the source
🌍
No videos yet
What To Eat
The World's Food Guide
© 2025 What To Eat · hello@whattoeat.world