Ingredient Checklist
1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Instructions Checklist
Step 1 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes.
Step 2 At the same time, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper and stir until smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour in milk slowly, while stirring continuously. Continue to cook and stir until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes, making sure the milk doesn’t burn.
Step 3 Add Cheddar cheese and stir until melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
Step 4 Drain macaroni and fold into cheese sauce until coated.
Cook’s Note:
You can never have enough cheese, and I usually add an extra 1/2 cup without ruining the recipe.
Tips
Keep a careful eye on the milk when boiling, as milk boils fast and burns easily. Burnt milk will show up in the recipe’s flavor if overcooked.
