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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
