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easy macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 510
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and return pasta to the pot off the heat.
  2. Add butter and stir over low heat until melted and coating pasta. Pour in milk, mustard powder, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until steaming and bubbling at the edges, about 2 minutes.
  3. Remove pot from heat. Add cheddar in two additions, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce seems too thick.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

For the glossiest sauce, use whole milk and shred the cheese yourself. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits; add a splash of milk when reheating. A few dashes of hot sauce stirred in at the end give it a pleasant kick without overpowering the cheese.