Classic Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic Bread

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A creamy, cheesy comfort dish with crispy garlic bread for a perfect side. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, milk, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup, grated cheddar cheese
2 cloves, minced garlic
1 baguette, sliced bread
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup, chopped parsley

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp flour until a roux forms. Gradually pour in 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup grated cheddar cheese until melted. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup pasta water to reach a creamy consistency.
Step 4: Transfer macaroni to a baking dish, pour the cheese sauce over it, and bake for 20 minutes until golden. Meanwhile, toast 1 baguette slices with 1 tbsp butter and sprinkle with parsley.