Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (2024)

Grandma’s Mac And Cheese recipe! The old-fashioned Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Grandma made old school as only Grandma did! She passed on her method of making Mac N Cheese growing up and continues now. It wasn’t until much later in life when I was exploring cooking books and cooking shows that I actually realized that many people make macaroni and cheese with a cheese sauce.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (1)

However that is precisely what I like about this homemade mac and cheese recipe is that Grandma’s Mac and Cheese does not use a cheese sauce. Love it! This recipe is easy, quick and flexible baked Macaroni and Cheese dish.

How To Make Grandma’s Mac And Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

You know how family recipes are with the measurements. A little sketchy depending upon who you learn the recipe from. It always seems to center around “Oh just eyeball it. You will know.”

But it is true. Make the recipe a few times and you will know! And this recipe is so flexible it will work the first time too!

Prep time: 20 minutes ~ Serves four

Cooking time: 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees

2 QT glass baking dish

Elbow macaroni (adjust to your desired serving size). For a 2 quart dish use 8 ounces.

8 ounces block cheese of your choice. I use sharp cheddar.

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

One cup milk of your choice.

Breadcrumbs optional. Plain or seasoned, your choice.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions

  1. Boil the macaroni to your desired firmness.
  2. While boiling macaroni cut the block cheese into 1/2 inch cubes.
  3. Cut the butter into dab size pieces.
  4. Drain macaroni.
  5. Begin layering dish.

Kitchen Tip: Layering is the key to this dish for even cheese throughout.

Order Of Layers

Layer of macaroni.

Layerthe cheese squares and butter dots on top of the macaroni.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (2)

Approximately 3/4 of the macaroni should be covered.

Repeattwo more times.

Pour milk into baking dish but not the entire cup at once.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (3)

The milk should cover 3/4 of the mixture. Add the milk and look at the baking dish from the side to decide when to stop.

Breadcrumbs are optional. If desired sprinkle breadcrumbs on top or make a mixture of breadcrumbs and butter and spread on top.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (4)

Kellogg’s Corn Flake Crumbs also work wonderfully.

Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (5)

Is a safe bettheMac n Cheese recipe will need to bake at least 30 minutes. Usually 35 -40 minutes if the temperature of your stove is accurate.

At 30 minutes check.

You will know thedish is cooked fully when the milk is congealed. If you put a spoon into the mixture and see that the milk is still liquid,thedish is not fully cooked.You can also look into the side of the baking dish to eyeball if the milk is still liquid.

What I like about this dish are the simple easy ingredients which are usually on hand. You can choose the cheese and milk of your choice. Season the breadcrumbs or leave out the breadcrumbs.

Tonight when I decided to add the remnants of a bag of cheddar cheese shreds I had o hand to the block cheese squares.

This is a foolproof baked macaroni and cheese recipe as it always tastes good whichever combo of cheese and milk you use. It is also a perfect recipe for beginner cooks of any age to have in their repertoire.

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (6)

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (7)

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Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe

Grandma's Mac And Cheese recipe! The old-fashioned Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Grandma made old school as only Grandma did! She passed on her method of making Mac N Cheese growing up and continues now.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author The Savvy Age

Ingredients

  • Elbow macaroni adjust to your desired serving size. For a 2 quart dish use 8 ounces.
  • 8 ounces block cheese of your choice. I use sharp cheddar.
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • One cup milk of your choice.
  • Breadcrumbs optional. Plain or seasoned your choice.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

  • Boil the macaroni to your desired firmness.

  • While boiling macaroni cut the block cheese into 1/2 inch cubes.

  • Cut the butter into dab size pieces.

  • Drain macaroni.

  • Begin layering dish.

  • Kitchen Tip: Layering is the key to this dish for even cheese throughout.

  • Order Of Layers

  • Layer of macaroni.

  • Layerthe cheese squares and butter dots on top of the macaroni.

  • Approximately 3/4 of the macaroni should be covered.

  • Repeattwo more times.

  • Pour milk into baking dish but not the entire cup at once.

  • The milk should cover 3/4 of the mixture. Add the milk and look at the baking dish from the side to decide when to stop.

  • Breadcrumbs are optional. If desired sprinkle breadcrumbs on top or make a mixture of breadcrumbs and butter and spread on top.

  • Kellogg's Corn Flake Crumbs also work wonderfully.

  • Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes.

  • Is a safe bettheMac n Cheese recipe will need to bake at least 30 minutes. Usually 35 -40 minutes if the temperature of your stove is accurate.

  • At 30 minutes check.

  • You will know thedish is cooked fully when the milk is congealed. If you put a spoon into the mixture and see that the milk is still liquid,thedish is not fully cooked.You can also look into the side of the baking dish to eyeball if the milk is still liquid.

Notes

What I like about this dish are the simple easy ingredients which are usually on hand. You can choose the cheese and milk of your choice. Season the breadcrumbs or leave out the breadcrumbs.

Tonight when I decided to add the remnants of a bag of cheddar cheese shreds I had o hand to the block cheese squares.

This is a foolproof baked macaroni and cheese recipe as it always tastes good whichever combo of cheese and milk you use. It is also a perfect recipe for beginner cooks of any age to have in their repertoire.

More Grandma’s Recipes

Old Fashioned Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Goulash

Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread

Grandma’s Crustades (Mini appetizers)

Grandma's Mac And Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

How does Paula Deen make mac and cheese? ›

Add the cheeses to the hot macaroni and stir well; spread in the prepared dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup butter, the half-and-half, eggs, sour cream, salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and black pepper. Pour over the macaroni. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

What is the best cheese for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

How to keep mac and cheese creamy? ›

If you want a very creamy mac n' cheese, you can add Velveeta processed cheese or American cheese (from the deli) to your melted cheese base mixture. The American cheese provides the creaminess you are looking for, and when reheating the mac n' cheese add a little bit of milk.

How do you make mac and cheese taste better? ›

Here are five tips to elevate your next dinner to include extra flavor and texture.
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
May 21, 2022

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

Why do you add flour to homemade mac and cheese? ›

In our stovetop mac and cheese recipe, a bit of flour is add to the milk mixture to thicken the final dish.
  1. Learn how to make the best stovetop mac and cheese without a roux: How To Make the Best Macaroni and Cheese on the Stove.
  2. A great reason for grating cheese: How To Make Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

What thickens mac and cheese? ›

Unsalted Butter + All-Purpose Flour: The combination of these creates a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: The base of the cheese sauce! I recommend using whole milk for a richer, thicker sauce, but 2% will also work.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Use whole milk for the richest flavor and texture. Cheese: This baked mac and cheese recipe calls for Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Seasonings: Salt and pepper goes into the sauce, while paprika is sprinkled over the topping.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

How to prevent mac and cheese from breaking? ›

“The trick is to not cook it over high heat. Cheese breaks down and it separates so quickly. If you're going to cook your mac and cheese over a high heat then it's going to separate and you're going to have a pool of grease on top and it will be terrible.”

Why should you never boil pasta in water for mac and cheese? ›

By cooking the pasta in milk instead, you get to keep all that starchy goodness for your cheese sauce. However, as the Kitchn points out: “Some milk is absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, but you need to reserve enough to make your sauce.

How do I make my mac and cheese better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How to stop mac and cheese from drying out? ›

Add more sauce

When it comes to macaroni and cheese there is a fine balance between soupy and dry. It all comes down to the sauce. Remember that the noodles for macaroni and cheese are not entirely cooked when they hit the baking dish, so they will continue to cook and absorb sauce while baking.

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