🍝 Classic Baked Mac & Cheese (Grandma-Style)
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Pasta
250g (8 oz) elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
Salt for boiling water
Cheese sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 cups milk (warm is best)
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
½ cup shredded mozzarella (or more cheddar)
¼ tsp garlic powder (optional but nice)
Salt + black pepper to taste
Topping
½ cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
1 tbsp melted butter
Extra cheese (optional, but c’mon 😌)
How to Make It
- Cook the pasta
Boil in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. - Make the cheese sauce
Melt butter in a pan on medium heat
Whisk in flour → cook 1 minute
Slowly whisk in milk → keep stirring until thick
Turn heat low, add cheese, garlic powder, salt & pepper
Stir till smooth and melty - Combine
Mix pasta into the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. - Assemble
Pour into a buttered baking dish
Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter
Sprinkle crumbs + extra cheese on top - Bake
180°C / 350°F for 20–25 minutes
Top should be golden and bubbly - Cool slightly & destroy
Let it sit 5 minutes so it sets. Then dig in 😎
Optional Comfort Upgrades
🥓 Add crispy bacon bits
🌶 A tiny pinch of chili flakes
🧄 Rub garlic inside the baking dish first
🥦 Toss in peas or broccoli if you want “I tried to be healthy” energy
If you want, I can also drop recipes for meatloaf, chicken pot pie, or mashed potatoes with gravy — full comfort-food starter pack vibes.