Ditch The Box – Homemade Mac And Cheese

Get ready to taste the best homemade mac and cheese! If you've been eating it from the box, I promise you'll ditch it after trying this easy homemade mac and cheese recipe. Most families have secret, tried-and-tested macaroni and cheese recipes, but if you haven't quite got around to mastering yours, this old-fashioned macaroni and cheese recipe is a good start.

How to Make a Homemade Mac and Cheese from Scratch

What You Will Need:

• Large pan or stockpot
• Large bowl
• Cheese grater
• Fork
• Sharp knife

Ingredients For Homemade Mac and Cheese:

• 1 1/2 cups dried macaroni or elbow pasta
• 3/4 cup mozzarella
• 1/2 cup other hard cheese of your choice (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, etc.)
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 cup whole milk or 1/2 cup 2% or fat-free and 1/2 cup half and half
• 4 Tbsp. butter, cut into small cubes

Step 1. Cook Macaroni According to Package Instructions

Bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil, add a 1/2 tsp of salt, and tip in your pasta.

Step 2. Prepare Your Cheese Sauce

While your pasta is boiling, take half of the mozzarella, and the rest of the ingredients, and mix them together in a large bowl.

Hey cheese lovers, these easy cheesy recipes will make your day! https://t.co/A9W26RTtyk pic.twitter.com/aqC3slyCPf

— Homemade Recipes (@BestHomeRecipes) July 5, 2016

Step 3. Prepare Cooked Macaroni Pasta

When your pasta is cooked, drain thoroughly and then return to the hot pan. Add the reserved mozzarella, and mix together until the cheese is melted.

Step 4. Mix In Pasta and Sauce

Put the pasta and cheese mixture into a large dish – earthenware or Pyrex is perfect – and then pour the other ingredients over the top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and put in the oven at 350°F for 45 minutes. You can uncover it towards the end and allow the top to crisp and brown if you like.

Step 5. Enjoy!

This recipe not only tastes way better than the boxed mix, but it also cuts out a ton of the bad stuff that comes with processed foods. You can enjoy this yummy homemade mac and cheese without the guilt of unpronounceable preservatives. Bon appetit!

Want to see a few variations of this delicious dish? Then check out this video from ClevverTV:

Who doesn’t love homemade creamy mac and cheese? It’s a Southern staple: perfect elbow macaroni, nestled in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with more cheese, browned to crispy perfection. It’s a carb lover's dream, and one of the few things that can escape the modern desire to go ‘low fat' and ‘low calorie’ – because there’s no way to truly tone this dish down! It’s one of my favorites. I love it both fresh and hot, or as homemade mac and cheese leftovers. It can work on its own or as a side dish. It’s definitely a family favorite!

Are you going to try this homemade mac and cheese recipe for dinner tonight? Let us know below in the comments!

Up Next: How to Make Pancakes from Scratch | Perfect Pancake Recipe

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 18, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.