The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, rich macaroni and cheese with a golden-brown crust, made with a buttermilk and cheddar cheese sauce. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs macaroni pasta, whole milk, buttermilk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni pasta
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups, grated cheddar cheese
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add buttermilk and milk, whisking constantly until thickened and bubbly.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cooked macaroni.
- Step 4: Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep macaroni pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with The Best Classic Macaroni and Cheese?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
