A Recipe for Simple Mac and Cheese

Here's a no frills, simple mac and cheese recipe that uses inexpensive, store brand ingredients and taste incredible. SIMPLE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE Unsalted Butter 5 tbsp, 2.5oz. or 70g Flour - 5 tbsp, 1.75 oz. or 53g Macaroni - 1 lbs. or 454g Whole Milk 4 cups, 32 oz. or 908g Extra Sharp Cheddar - 2.5 lbs. or 1135g Worcestershire Sauce - 1 Tbsp., 0.5 oz. or 14g Diamond Kosher Salt - 1 tsp., 0.125 oz. or 3g Pepper - 1/2 tsp. Smoked Paprika - as needed STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS Start by making the roux, which will thicken your cheese sauce. Melt unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for one to two minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture turns lightly golden and smells toasty. Next, slowly pour in cold whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth, then let it simmer over medium heat. Stir frequently so it doesn’t stick to the bottom and burn. The sauce is ready for cheese when it coats the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat to low and begin adding shredded cheese a handful at a time. Let each batch melt completely before adding more, keeping the sauce warm but not bubbling to prevent a grainy texture. Extra sharp cheddar gives great flavor, but you can use milder cheeses like Monterey Jack or a blend if you prefer. Once the cheese is fully melted, stir in salt, granulated garlic, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce for added depth. Cover the pot and set the cheese sauce aside. Bring a gallon of water to a boil in a separate pot, then add two tablespoons of kosher salt and one pound of elbow macaroni. Cook the pasta a few minutes short of the package directions so it stays slightly firm. Drain it thoroughly to remove as much water as possible. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated. The mixture should look a bit heavy on the sauce, which is ideal since the pasta will absorb some of it while baking. Transfer everything into a 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure to scrape every bit of sauce from the pot. Spread it evenly, then top with an even layer of grated cheese and a light dusting of smoked paprika. Place the dish on the center rack of a preheated 400°F (204°C) oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and bubbling. When it comes out, the mac and cheese will still look slightly soupy. This is normal. Let it rest for five to ten minutes so it can set a little, then grab a big spoon and serve warm. DONATE AND FOLLOW ME Donation link - https://ko-fi.com/kitchenandcraft Instagram -   / kitchencraftfood   Website - https://kitchencraftfood.com This video and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission, but it won't coast you anything extra. This helps support my channel. Kitchen & Craft is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. #macandcheese #recipe #comfortfood Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/synod/simple-life License code: MOZTNQSCPP6FWCEX