Easy Tinis Mac Cheese (Print Version)

Comforting mac with rich cheddar and mozzarella, ready quickly for a cozy meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 4 oz elbow macaroni

→ Sauce

02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/8 teaspoon paprika (optional)

→ Topping (optional)

10 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
11 - 1 teaspoon melted butter

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
03 - Gradually whisk in whole milk, avoiding lumps. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
04 - Lower heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
05 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
06 - Preheat broiler. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish. Broil 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.
07 - Serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Quick and comforting meal
  • Perfect for weeknights or lunch
02 -
  • Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make the recipe gluten-free
  • Adding cooked diced ham or steamed broccoli boosts protein content
03 -
  • Cook pasta until just al dente to prevent mushiness
  • Whisk continuously when adding milk to avoid lumps
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