Quick and Easy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to make this easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe in just minutes! Skip the box stuff and make this creamy and delicious side dish.

Easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe

My family loves this easy macaroni and cheese recipe. It is ready in minutes and makes it the perfect side dish to any meal. In fact, my nieces were over the other day and I made this.

They thought it was the greatest macaroni and cheese. They said it was better than the boxed stuff. Frankly, I agree.

You don’t need much to make this easy side dish. I think you will be surprised just how easy it is.

Let’s makehomemade mac and cheese!

Ingredients for the best homemade mac and cheese:

• elbow macaroni
• shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• milk
• water
• salt and pepper

That is all!

How to make homemade macaroni and cheese:

Add the water, milk, pasta, salt and pepper to a medium size pot.

Heat over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Stir frequently and watch closely so that the milk does not over boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cook until the pasta is done which should take approximately 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently and add more water if needed as the pasta will absorb the liquid.

Remove the pot from the heat.

Then stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.

Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Enjoy!

It is that easy to make the best homemade macaroni and cheese!

Skip the box macaroni and cheese when you can make your own without any extra time! You don’t have to do anything fancy to enjoy good ‘ol fashion macaroni and cheese. My trick is using the American Cheese slices that I get for cheap with my coupons.

You can have this dinner created and on the table in under 10 minutes! Now, that is a side dish my family loves.

Curious about the cost?

My pasta cost me $.50 for the box, but I only used half. Then the cheese was $.50 for the entire package and I only used 3 slices. The butter was free, and I didn’t use much milk. I would say that this quick and easy side dish cost me around $.50 to feed my family. Not too shabby at all! 😉

Did you know that you can freeze this?

Macaroni and Cheese freezes great! Cook like normal and place in a foil 9×9 baking pan to freeze. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw, and just bake it in the oven at 350 degrees (covered) for about 30 minutes. You can even top it with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs to make an even fancier dish. 😉

Variation ideas:

• Use different types of pasta. Some ideas include bowtie, shells, penne and more. Just use what you have.
• Out of cheddar? Monterrey Jack cheese is good. We have even mixed mozzarella with cheddar when we didn’t have enough cheddar. You can use anything!
• Toss in leftover Rotisserie chicken or even tuna to make this like a casserole.
• Sneak in veggies. You can puree cauliflower and mix in with the cheese. The kids won’t even notice.

As you can see, the ideas are endless for this easy mac and cheese recipe. Just use what you have in your pantry or can get on sale.

Shopping sales really makes a big difference in our grocery budget.Easy recipes like this keep my family happy and my grocery budget in good shape.This is how I keep our grocery budget reasonable.

I cut our grocery bill by 50% off by following these8 Tips for for Saving Money on Groceries by Menu Planning!Save that money for something else and that this amazing meal to your meal plan!

Don’t you think your family would love thisone pot homemade macaroni and cheese recipe?

If you love comfort food, this mac and cheese recipe will definitely be a hit. It is so amazing and really simple.

Now, I do prefer to use block cheese and shredding cheese is very quick. The pre shredded cheese often does not melt as well.

This one pot side dish is so easy and there is very little to clean up. You will love only having the one pan.

Fee free to make baked macaroni and cheese if you prefer. Just do what your family enjoys. Homemade macaroni is amazing and really simple.

The cheese sauce is not difficult at all and much better than the boxed stuff. Just remember to cook the pasta al dente.

Give this a try and let us know how you like it. Enjoy! Once you see how easy this is and how wonderful it tastes, you will make it all the time. It is the best!

Print this easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe below:

Try these other easy one pot recipes:

• One Pot Beef Taco Pasta Skillet Recipe
• Spicy Creamy Pasta
• One Pot Spaghetti Recipe
• Pasta fa*gioli Recipe
• One Pot Chicken Florentine Pasta
• Lazy Day Easy Lasagna Recipe

Try these easy side dish recipes

• Baked Potatoes in the Microwave – Easy to make!
• Easy Recipe on how to Grill Corn on the Cob
• Foil Pack Grilled Potatoes
• Parmesan Pasta – Easy 2 Ingredient Side Dish
• Roasted zucchini and squash recipe
• Cheesy potato casserole
• Easy Baked Beans Recipe
• Garlic Lime Steamed Asparagus

Serve with a Bowl of Chili

We also like to serve mac and cheese with chili. They pair great together. Check out our What to Serve with Chili for more easy ideas.