Is there anything better than indulging in a bowl of pasta smothered in creamy, melty cheese? Mac and cheese tops the list of favorite comfort foods for many reasons: It's cozy, satisfying, and simple to make. All you need is macaroni pasta, cheese, butter, flour, and your preferred seasonings. Make a simple cheese sauce to mix into into your cooked pasta or simply add all the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work!

While the classic version is excellent, part of the beauty of mac and cheese is its versatility. Keep it simple with a handful of staple ingredients or customize the flavor with a blend of cheeses. You can also deepen the flavor profile and create a fancy dish worthy of a special occasion by adding your favorite toppings. Please the palate with some bacon crumbles, add some buttery breadcrumbs, or spice it up with some jalapenos. Whatever flavor you are craving, mac and cheese is the ideal base for some mouth-watering meals.

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

It's easy to make your own macaroni and cheese from scratch. All you need is a few simple ingredients:

• Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the most popular shape to use in mac and cheese, but any small pasta shape works well. If you don't have elbows in your pantry, substitute small shell pasta or even cavatappi.
• Butter and flour: The base for the decadent cheese sauce starts with a roux made from butter and flour. A 1:1 ration that uses one part butter to an equal amount of flour is ideal. The roux acts as a thickener for the milk and adds depth to the flavor.
• Milk: The backbone of any good cheese sauce is milk. It helps to create a smooth and creamy bechamel sauce that evenly coats the pasta.
• Cheese: The star of the show! Whether you stick with a classic sharp cheddar or use a blend featuring favorites like muenster, the cheese you select gives the dish it's gooey consistency and rich flavor.
• Seasonings: Adding some spices and seasonings to your cheese sauce is a quick and easy way to change up the taste. A bit of black pepper is a common addition. Or, try some garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, truffle oil, or even buffalo sauce for some heat.
• Toppings: Make your mac and cheese even more amazing with some exciting toppings. You can add meats like bacon bits, barbecue chicken, meatballs, ham cubes, pepperoni, or ground beef to amp up the protein for a more filling meal. Veggies like broccoli, herbs such as chives, buttery breadcrumbs, and even crunchy potato chips all make wonderful toppings.

Try out a few different flavor combinations by playing with the seasonings and toppings you add to your mac and cheese. You can make it as simple or as fancy as you desire.

How to Make Mac and Cheese

Making a basic mac and cheese only takes a few steps:

• Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta water to loosen the cheese sauce if it becomes too thick.
• Make the cheese sauce. Start by melting butter to make a roux. Add flour and cook to remove the raw taste. Next, whisk in the milk to prevent lumps. Simmer the sauce until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Now for the main event! Drop the temperature to low and stir in grated cheese until it's completely melted. Stir the pasta into the finished sauce.
• Next, you can choose to add in some seasonings or toppings to customize it.
• Pop your mac and cheese into the oven to bake, if the recipe calls for it, or enjoy immediately!

Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese

What is the best cheese to use in mac and cheese? This is a popular question. While some of it comes down to personal preference, there are some cheeses that are better suited to this dish because they melt well to create the right texture while adding great flavor. Some favorite varieties of cheeses include:

• Cheddar: This one is no surprise. Cheddar is the go-to for many delicious mac and cheese recipes. It provides intense flavor and melts smoothly.

• Gouda: Another great melting cheese is gouda. Mild yet nutty, gouda adds amazing flavor on its own or in combination with other cheeses.

• Monterey Jack: Similar to cheddar, Monterey jack melts well into a gooey texture ideal for mac and cheese. Use it in place of cheddar or as an additional to your other favorites.

• Parmesan: This cheese has a ton of complex, salty flavor to make your dish more interesting. Freshly grated parmesan melts well into a cheese sauce. It also makes an ideal topping to mac and cheese before baking in the oven. 

Your recipe and desired flavor combination is another factor in selecting the best cheese. If you want to stick to the classic preparation, a good quality cheddar is your main ingredient. A Southern mac and cheese may call for the addition of sour cream or eggs for a bright pop of flavor or creamier texture.

Homemade Mac and Cheese: Favorite Preparations

There are many ways to make mac and cheese. Try out these recommended recipes for some excellent flavor variations and easy cooking methods.