Description
A creamy, stovetop mac and cheese designed for meal prep that stays velvety and delicious for days. This recipe uses a stable emulsion technique to prevent separation, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) Elbow Macaroni or Cavatappi
- 4 tablespoons (56g) Unsalted Butter
- 1/4 cup (30g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1.5 cups (360ml) Whole Milk
- 2 cups (200g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup (100g) Smoked Gouda, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Optional: Cooked bacon bits, sautéed broccoli, or diced ham
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add macaroni and cook until al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until pale blonde and nutty, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and simmers gently (3-5 minutes).
- Remove the pan from heat. Add grated cheddar and Gouda a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted before adding more.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and toss gently until every noodle is coated. Adjust thickness with warm milk if needed.
- Let cool to room temperature before dividing into meal prep containers. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Do not use pre-shredded cheese as anti-caking agents prevent smooth melting. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Undercook pasta slightly as it will soften further when reheated. If the sauce breaks, whisk in a splash of cold milk to fix it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: mac and cheese, meal prep, stovetop mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, batch cooking