Mac and cheese is one of those comfort foods that everyone likes. This is my go-to recipe when I’m feeding children, and it never lets me down. They love it! When my own kids were growing up, I think I made this at least once a week. Maybe more! I’ve “dressed” my recipe up with green onions, and adults love it too. However, when I make it for little ones, I keep it simple, and leave the onions out.
Bring 6 cups salted water to a boil over high heat, and stir in macaroni.
I like to use the largest size macaroni noodles that I can find because the cheese sauce can really get inside them … but you can use whatever you like.
Return to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes.
While the macaroni is boiling, melt butter over low heat. Add green onions (if you want to use them), and saute over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Add flour, chicken bouillon, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder, and whisk together until smooth.
Add milk.
Whisking constantly, bring mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Remove from heat, and stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
Drain macaroni. Shake it several times to make sure all the water comes out from inside the pasta. Then return it to the pot.
Immediately pour cheese sauce over macaroni.
Stir to combine, and serve immediately.
Garnish with chopped green onion, if desired.
- 2 cups macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 green onions, chopped (optional)
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Bring 6 cups water (add 1 teaspoon salt, if desired) to a boil in a large pot.
- Add macaroni, return to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring every minute or so.
- While the pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce.
- Over low heat, melt butter in a 2 quart pot. If using green onion, add them to butter, and sauté over medium heat for two minutes.
- Whisk in flour, bouillon, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Add milk, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, and stir in cheese until completely melted.
- Drain macaroni thoroughly. (You don’t want any of the pasta water in your mac and cheese.) Then return to pot.
- Pour cheese sauce over macaroni, and stir to combine.
- Top with fresh chopped green onion, if desired, and serve immediately.
