The Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - 2 In 1 Recipe (2024)

Macaroni and cheese, also known as mac and cheese, is a popular dish that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for decades. This creamy and delicious pasta dish is made with macaroni pasta and melted cheese sauce, making it a comfort food staple in many households.

If you're a fan of macaroni and cheese and looking for a delicious recipe, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explore the history of mac and cheese, its popularity, and how to make the perfect macaroni and cheese dish.

For a creamy, luscious twist on macaroni and cheese, you need to try my 2 in 1 Mac and Cheese recipe. This is the only way I’ll make mac & cheese from now on!

I was curious what would happen if I mixed macaroni with cheese sauce and a custard. I was not at all disappointed! It turned out to be amazing!

I usually make mac and cheese with a cheese sauce, but will occasionally make it with custard. Both are good, but combining them is so much better. You get the rich creaminess of the cheese sauce along with the fluffy texture of the custard. It’s an out-of-this-world eating experience!

2 IN 1 MAC AND CHEESE

Why you'll love this recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s easy to make, uses ingredients you likely already have in your refrigerator and pantry, and is so creamy and delicious.

Ingredients Needed To Make Macaroni and Cheese

• Sharp cheddar
• Gouda
• Mozzarella
• Colby Jack
• Milk
• Eggs
• Flour
• Butter
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Macaroni elbows

Equipment For Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

I use these tools for my macaroni and cheese:

• Cheese grater
• 9x13 dish
• Whisk

How to make Macaroni and Cheese recipe

Here’s how to make this delicious macaroni and cheese recipe:

Make the cheese sauce

1. Start off by making a roux. A roux is simply equal parts flour and fat that are cooked together to thicken a dish.

2. Next, add milk to the roux and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until slightly thickened - about 10 minutes. Don't let it get too thick because the sauce will thicken much more once the cheese has been added.

3. Add half of the cooked macaroni elbows and set aside.

Now, it's time to layer.

1. Start off by making a roux. A roux is simply equal parts flour and fat that are cooked together to thicken a dish.
2. Repeat the layering process until you either run out of ingredients or room in the baking dish.

Side note, I wonder why layering the custard mixture has always been done. It's not like the mixture stays where you put it, like cheese.

To finish:

1. Once layered, place the dish in the oven at 350° for about 40 to 45 minutes.
2. Finish by broiling for two minutes to slightly brown the cheese.

What to Serve with your 2 in 1 Macaroni and Cheese

One of the best things about this macaroni and cheese recipe is that it can be eaten as a side or served as your main course. It’s tasty and versatile. Here are some of my favorite things to serve it with:

Sides

• Restaurant Style Creamed Spinach - For a smorgasbord of creamy goodness, pair your mac and cheese with some creamed spinach. It’ll be a rich pairing, but I promise you’ll love it.
• Smothered Fried Cabbage - Get your vegetables in with some cabbage. Yes, it is fried and smothered in spices, but it still has lots of nutrients and it tastes too good not to eat.
• Southern Baked Candied Yams - I love candied yams, and you will love them too once you make them using this recipe. It’ll be a nice sweet flavor to complement your rich mac and cheese.

Entrees

• Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich - If it’s Sunday and you’re craving a chicken sandwich and some mac and cheese, make this copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich and pair it with my 2 in 1 Mac and Cheese. The combination of the recipes will have you cooking instead of visiting Chick-fil-A ever again. Well, you’ll probably still visit, but it’s nice to know that you can make it on your own if necessary.
• Southern Pan Fried Pork Chops - Pork chops are so tasty, especially when pan fried. And they’ll taste amazing next to mac and cheese.
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken - You’ll definitely want some protein with your mac and cheese, and this Jamaican Jerk Chicken does just the trick. It is so juicy and flavorful, and it hits the spot when you’re in need of some comfort food.

Substitutions and Variations for this Recipe

There are ways to adjust this recipe if you have certain dietary preferences or needs, or if some of the ingredients do not suit your flavor profile. Here are some substitutions and variations:

Substitutions Of Macaroni and Cheese

• Cheese - If you are dairy free or vegan, you can substitute these cheeses with dairy-free versions. I suggest using Applewood or Follow Your Heart brand cheeses as these tend to melt better than other vegan alternatives.
• Milk - You can use plant-based milk instead of whole milk. Keep in mind that the plant-based milk may not thicken as well as cow’s milk, so you may want to increase the ratio of roux to milk so that your mac and cheese is not runny.
• Butter - You can also use plant-based butter. I like to just use Country Crock‘s olive oil-based butter as I find it doesn’t have the sweet smell that so many dairy free products have.
• Noodles - For gluten free noodles, go to the health food section at your local grocery store. There are tons of gluten-free options ranging from organic from Thrive market to plain or gluten-free from Barilla. Just use your favorite, as any of them will do.
• Flour - You can use almond flour, oat flour, or any other available gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.

All of these substitutions can be used at a one-to-one ratio, potentially with the exception of the milk.

Variations Of Macaroni and Cheese

• Different cheeses - If you would like to substitute any of the cheeses for flavor reasons, feel free. Of course this is my favorite cheese combination, but you can make substitutes based on your own preferences. If you prefer a mild cheddar over sharp or Havarti instead of Gouda, go ahead and swap. Just make sure that you properly vet your cheeses beforehand, as some do not have as good of melting properties as others, and melting is key to this recipe.
• Different noodles - Elbow macaroni noodles are the classic macaroni and cheese noodles, but if you don’t like their texture you can use a different shape. Shells or spirals will also work for this recipe.
• Different seasonings - Feel free to add whichever spices you like. I am partial to salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but there are plenty of recipes that use paprika, onion powder, and other seasonings, too. You can make this a couple times and adjust based on what tastes good to you.
• Different methods - You can cook this recipe in different ways, too. You can make it in the Instant Pot or in the slow cooker. You can also skip the broiling and use a cooking torch to brown the cheese. Many people like to do this instead of broiling because it gives them a little more control, but broiling is a little bit easier. Do whatever you prefer.

Top Tips For Macaroni and Cheese

Master the Art of Mixing

Much of this recipe hinges on mixing. You have to mix up the custard, mix up a rouxl, and mix to incorporate the cheese and to melt it. To truly do this recipe justice, you need to become a mixing master.

Make sure you read the recipe carefully and follow the instructions because they’ll tell you how often you should mix, how aggressively you should mix, what order to add things in, when to change the heat, and what heat setting to keep it on, all of which is of utmost importance when mixing.

Mixing is a delicate balance, and you can easily screw up a recipe if you do not follow the directions correctly, especially when you are working with temperamental ingredients like dairy products.

Layer Properly

You also want to layer this recipe properly so that you get the best bite in every bite. You do not want to just put one layer of noodles, one layer of custard, and one layer of cheese sauce. You want these to be layered correctly, otherwise it won’t have the same overall taste and texture.

FAQs Of Macaroni and Cheese

How long does it last in the fridge?

This recipe will last in the fridge for four to five days after it’s been cooked. Make sure you store it in an airtight container.

One of the reasons I suggest the baking dish that I use is because it comes with a lid. This will seal it to keep it from taking on any unwanted flavors or odors in the refrigerator. If you are worried it’s not airtight enough, you can cover the dish and plastic wrap before placing the lid on top.

Make sure you allow the mac and cheese to cool completely before putting the lid on top and putting it in the refrigerator. If you don’t let it cool completely, the moisture will collect on top of the lid and cause the noodles to get soggy in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze it?

Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Like you would when you refrigerate it, make sure it is in an airtight container. It should last a couple months in the freezer, and you can reheat it in the microwave or the stove top or pop it back in the oven.

I suggest letting the mac and cheese defrost in the refrigerator before cooking it again so that it does not take on a weird texture from all of the moisture heating up at once.

Can you add meat to it?

Yes, you can add meat to this recipe. You can put shredded chicken or ground turkey in it before baking it. Just make sure that the meat is cooked before you add it to the pasta.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

Here are some of my other favorite recipes:

• Chicken Pesto Alfredo Pasta - This recipe combines two classics – pesto and alfredo – with juicy chicken for a pasta dish you’ll be making whenever you have the chance! It’s quick, fresh, and restaurant quality.
• Chicken Tikka Masala - If you love Indian cuisine, try making this Tikka Masala dish at home. It’s just as good as take out, but without the cost or the wait. It’ll taste like someone delivered it to your doorstep.
• Shrimp and Grits - If you love this Southern dish, make it yourself with my tasty recipe. You’ll be glad you did!

Food Safety

• Do not leave food sitting out for too long before eating it. After sitting at room temperature for two hours, it can begin to grow harmful bacteria.
• Do not use cheese or milk that has gone past its expiration date in this recipe. Of course use your best judgment, but you do not want to use spoiled dairy products, as this could cause sickness.

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