Are you looking for the best homemade white cheddar mac and cheese recipe? This stovetop recipe will become your go-to for the best macaroni with a creamy cheese sauce.
White Mac and Cheese
Homemade white cheddar mac n cheese is a favorite comfort food for many families. The creamy white cheddar cheese sauce mixed with cooked pasta creates the perfect mix of savory and creamy.
My white cheddar macaroni and cheese is loaded with sharp, white cheddar cheese. Not only is it delicious, but it is also incredibly easy to make with my stovetop method.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal time, you can have a delicious and hearty side dish of the best white cheddar mac and cheese recipe that your whole family will love.
Homemade White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of my ultimate comfort food; Annie’s white cheddar mac and cheese has mainly been my favorite.
However, since I have learned to make this classic white cheddar mac and cheese from scratch, it is incomparable to any pre-made boxed mac and cheese.
Ingredients For White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
When it comes to white cheese mac and cheese, this easy recipe is truly a standout. The creamy white cheddar sauce is unlike any other you’ve had and blends seamlessly into the pasta.
Gather the handful of ingredients listed below from your local grocery store, and your creamy mac and cheese will be ready for dinner in approximately half an hour!
- Pasta – When it comes to pasta, elbow macaroni is my favorite. Its shape perfectly cradles the cheesy sauce. However, you can choose to use rotini, penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Cook them in salted water for the best flavor.
- Salted Butter – Butter truly makes everything better! It provides a delectable richness to your cheese sauce and an ultra-smooth texture. You can also opt to use unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Flour – For this recipe, all-purpose flour creates a roux by heating the butter and flour together, creating a thick paste, the base for the white sauce.
- Whole Milk – I strongly suggest using whole milk when making a bechamel sauce, as it will make the sauce rich and creamy. Skim milk should be avoided, as it will make the sauce too runny.
- Ground Mustard Powder – the secret to the best homemade mac and cheese is adding mustard powder!
- Cheese – When making mac and cheese, the most important part is the cheese. I prefer sharp white cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack with pepper jack, and Le Gruyere. For the most flavor, an aged cheddar should be used. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses as well.
- Salt + Pepper – Season to taste!
How to Make White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
To make a perfect macaroni and cheese, start with a delicious bechamel sauce. This creamy base requires whole milk and butter.
Don’t be intimidated by the process; follow these instructions, and you will have a creamy smooth bechamel sauce to pour over your macaroni noodles.
Step 1 | Boil Pasta
To start, bring a dutch oven or large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Once boiling, add your shell noodles and cook according to package directions or until they reach al dente – about 4 minutes.
Once cooked, drain the hot pasta water off the noodles and set aside the noodles.
Step 2 | Grate the Cheese
To grate the cheese, I prefer to use a box grater. However, a food processor with a shredding disc attachment can also be used.
To be extra creamy, it is essential to use freshly grated cheese for making white cheddar mac and cheese sauce.
Avoid pre-shredded and bagged cheese, as they contain starch and preservatives that can make the sauce gritty.
Step 3 | Make the Bechamel Sauce
In a heavy-bottomed large pan, melt butter over medium heat until melted. Add in the flour and continue to whisk, constantly cooking until the mixture turns a light brown color.
Reduce heat to low and gradually add in the milk. The mixture will look lumpy and thick at first but continue whisking, and the mixture will thin out as you add the rest of the milk.
Increase the heat back to medium and cook the mixture for another 4-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Ste 4 | Add Seasonings
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ground mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5 | Add Cheese
Add the grated cheese and stir until melted; however, do not let it come to a boil, as this will cause the cheese to become gritty.
Step 6 | Add Noodles
To finish, pour the cooked pasta noodles into the creamy cheese sauce and combine until the noodles are evenly coated.
Step 7 | Serve
This creamy white cheddar mac and cheese is best served hot after preparing on the stovetop.
It makes an ideal side dish to a main dish including, Pulled Pork Whole Roasted Chicken and Blackened Chicken.
Tips for Success
Use Sharp Cheddar – for the best white cheddar mac and cheese, use sharp or even extra sharp white cheddar instead of mild cheddar.
Use Fresh Grated Cheese – for the best results in flavor and texture, use freshly grated cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which has been treated with anti-clumping agents.
Use Whole Milk – For a creamy sauce, use whole milk or half n half. Avoid using skim milk, as it will result in a runny sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Bechamel Sauce
Bechamel is a classic sauce created from a combination of roux and milk. It is often used as a foundation for making delicious, cheesy, and creamy macaroni and cheese.
Is White or Yellow Cheddar Better for Mac and Cheese
If you want macaroni and cheese with an orange hue, you can use yellow cheddar instead of white. The only difference is the annatto coloring added to yellow cheeses. sharp white cheddar mac and cheese
What Cheeses go Best Together for Mac and Cheese
Some of the greatest melting cheeses combined for sharp white cheddar mac and cheese are sharp-aged cheddar cheese, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, and Pecorino Romano. For an added kick of spice, try adding Pepper Jack cheese.
How to Store and Re-Heat Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F until heated.
Printable Recipe Card | White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Want more delicious healthy side dish recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest recipes! Let’s stay connected on social media! Follow Rocky Hedge Farm on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
If you decide to make our family favorite easy white cheddar mac and cheese recipe, please leave a star rating on the recipe card and comment below! Tag @RockyHedgeFarm on Instagram so I can see your creations!
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Are you looking for the best homemade white cheddar mac and cheese recipe? This stovetop recipe will become your go-to for a quick, delicious side dish!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Le Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese
- salt + pepper
- 3 cups of macaroni noodles
Instructions
Step 1 | Boil Pasta
To start, bring a dutch oven or big pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Once boiling, add your shell noodles and cook until they reach al dente – about 4 minutes. Once cooked, drain pasta and set aside.
Step 2 | Grate the Cheese
To grate the cheese, I prefer to use a box grater. However, a food processor with a shredding disc attachment can also be used.
It is essential to use freshly grated cheese for making mac and cheese for it to be extra creamy. Avoid pre-shredded and bagged cheese, as they contain starch and preservatives that can make the sauce gritty.
Step 3 | Make the Bechamel Sauce
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until melted. Add in the flour and continue to whisk, constantly cooking until the mixture turns a light brown color.
Reduce heat to low and gradually add in the milk. The mixture will look lumpy and thick at first but continue whisking, and the mixture will thin out as you add the rest of the milk.
Increase the heat back to medium and cook the mixture for another 4-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Step 4 | Add Seasonings
Reduce the heat to low and add ground mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5 | Add Cheese
Add the grated cheese and stir until melted; however, do not let it boil, as this will cause the cheese to become gritty.
Step 6 | Add Noodles
To finish, pour the cooked pasta noodles into the cheese sauce and combine until the noodles are evenly coated.
Step 7 | Serve
This creamy white cheddar mac and cheese is best served hot after preparing on the stovetop.
It makes an ideal side dish for a wide range of main meals, including Pulled Pork, Whole Roasted Chicken, and Blackened Chicken.
This looks delicious. Sounds very much like my mom’s Mac n cheese. She never used recipes, so I could never ask her for it. 😊 looking forward to making a some comfort food. Thank you for sharing your yummy recipes, gardening/planting tips for flowers, home renovations(from past years) and decorating helps. Love your blog.
Enjoy your weekend.