Macaroni and cheese is probably one of the dishes that bring back so many childhood memories. Remember the bland school lunch? Or the silver tins of canned mac n’ cheese?
Sure, you can make the basic version of it when you are in a hurry or just exhausted, but since we are all grown up, why not add some extra flavor to it?
The macaroni and cheese – all-grown-up version takes a few more ingredients and time but makes the taste so much better. That’s why today, we’ll describe the flavored and better version of the same dish and call it macaroni and cheese – all grown up!
Macaroni and Cheese – All Grown-up
In this article, we avoided using the oven as it takes a while to heat it. Instead, we used the stove and some simple steps to make it easy, fast, and tasty! You can add up the ingredients as you like. (If you have some extra time and want to use the oven.
To keep it even simpler, we wrote the amount according to one person. So, let’s have a look at the recipe!
Prep time: 6 minutes
Cooking time: 19 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes (not even half an hour!)
Servings: 1 person
Ingredients
- Butter – 1 tablespoon
- Dry elbow noodles – 1 and ½ cup
- Flour – 1 and ½ tablespoons
- Whole milk (you can use half and half too) – 1 cup
- ¼ cup of water
- Sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese – 1 and ½ cups
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder and other seasoning based on what you like
Instructions
Here’s the entire process for you.
Step 1: Heat a Medium-Sized Pot of ¼ Cup of Water on the Stove
Wait till the water boils for a solid 3-4 minutes. You can add one or two pinches of salt in the water. That way, when you cook the noodles, it will be well cooked from inside and not taste bland afterward.
While the water is boiling, add the noodles. Then again, wait for 8-10 minutes. Keep boiling till the noodles are as soft as you want them to be.
Step 2: Shred the Cheddar Cheese
While the water and noodles are boiling, grab the chopping board and shred the cheddar cheese. Then put it in a bowl to use later. If you are someone who likes the strong taste and aroma of the cheese, use extra sharp cheddar. It will give you a salty flavor along with the sauce!
Step 3: Heat a Medium Pan
Add the butter cubes and wait till it melts. Now add the flour and stir them together till the flour is absorbed. This part is a little tricky, so make sure the flour is fully absorbed.
Step 4: Add the Milk with the Butter and Flour
Now whisk it till it gets absorbed too. Keep doing it for 1 or 2 minutes. After a couple of minutes, you will see the mixture getting slightly thick.
Step 5: Add Cheddar Cheese
When’s the mixture as in the sauce is ready, add your favorite cheddar cheese! But add ½ cup of cheese at a time and wait till it melts. Then add another ½. Keep doing it until you have added all of it. Then wait for the sauce to thicken and get mixed.
Step 6: Now It’s Time for Seasoning
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings you like. Taste the sauce a little bit. If it tastes the way you want, then you are done!
Step 7: Add the Sauce
By this time, your pasta should be done. If it is, strain it and then add it with the sauce you made. You can add pasta slowly to make sure there’s enough sauce. Keep string till you have the consistency you want.
Step 8: (Optional) Add Extra Cheese
Some people like to add even more cheese. If you like that too, you can add some hot sauce, basil, parmesan or cheddar cheese, shredded on top for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Voila! You have your flavored macaroni and cheese – all-grown-up version in only 25 minutes!
Let’s be real, it only took us to boil the pasta and cook the sauce. This way, you can have your desired macaroni and cheese recipe at home or even for work if you are in a hurry. So the next time you feel like having regular macaroni and cheese, why not follow the steps we mentioned and enjoy your treat at home!