Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese

  • Prep Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hrs
  • Servings: 8

    • About This Recipe

    “It’s not a lowfat casserole, but it’s so delicious you won’t care. Add leftover ham for an even heartier meal.”

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 lbmacaroni
  • 1/4 cupbutter
  • 3tablespoonsflour
  • 2cups1% low-fat milk
  • 1/2 lblow-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoonsalt
  • 1/2 teaspoonfresh ground black pepper
  • 1tablespoonDijon mustard
  • 1/2 lbsharp cheddar cheese
  • 1cupfresh breadcrumb
  • 2tablespoonsbutter, melted
  • 2tablespoonschopped fresh parsley

    • Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook macaroni (1/2 pound= 2 cups dry) until just al dente.
  • You can use elbows for a traditional look, but try scoobi-doo– it works well in this recipe.
  • Drain pasta well.
  • While the mac is boiling, melt the 1/4-cup butter in a large pot.
  • Whisk in the flour.
  • Over med heat, whisk until smooth and bubbly (only about a minute).
  • Stir in milk, cream cheese, salt, pepper& mustard.
  • Keep cooking and stirring until sauce is thickened– about three or four minutes.
  • Cut the block of cheddar into half-inch cubes.
  • Add drained macaroni and cubed cheddar& combine well.
  • Pour into a casserole sprayed with Pam.
  • In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and sprinkle over top.
  • Dust with paprika if desired.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until top is golden brown and casserole is heated through.

    • Reviews

  • “We loved the creamy texture of this dish.I didn’t know that homemade mac & cheese was so easy.I added ham & broccoli to make it a main dish casserole and my husband, who doesn’t care for mac & cheese said that it was a keeper.Thanks for the suggestion, Lennie.”

  • “I have made a zillion and one different versions of macaroni and cheese, but never with cream cheese in it.This one was so luscious, we’re going to be having it more often.It’s a cross between mac and cheese and elbows alfredo.Thanks Lennie!”

  • “I have wanted to make this recipe for months and I knew that has it was baking in the oven I was in for a major “good thing.”It was so good that I have been sneaking nibbles of cold mac and cheese.Lennie, this is a very addictive and wonderful recipe. I just wish I had made it sooner!”

  • “This was very yummy! Went great with BBQribs in the crockpot and Caesar salad.Thanks for the recipe!”

  • “This was soooooo good and creamy.We all loved it, there was so much cheese everyone was too full to finish.I made an error reading the recipe however and added 1 TBSP of dry mustard instead of dijon.I tasted it after mixing but prior to baking and it had a bite and I was afraid it wouldnt turn out okay to eat but to my suprise it seemed to almost totally go away after cooking, noone even noticed and kids pick things like that out.Thanks Lennie!”

  • “Lennie, this was GREAT!I’ve never made homemade mac and cheese before because I feared it would be runny and taste kind of bland, but this was delicious!My picky family even approved!I’ll be making this side dish again!Thanks!!! “

  • “Yum Yum – I used the reduced calorie cream cheese and left the butter out of the bread crumb topping (I have this compulsion to reduce calories when I can) but it didn’t matter – this is the most delicious mac n cheese ever!”

  • “I love mac and cheese, and have collected many recipes.This review was inspired by a recent thread in “everything else” that I started.Lennie reccomended this one, which I already had in my cookbook.This one truly deserves a place in the “mac and cheese hall of fame”!So creamy and rich!I didn’t have fresh parsley, but substituted a few sprinkles of dried.It doesn’t get any better than this!Thanks Lennie!”

  • “This Is extra creamy. Not at all dry.I used shredded cheese, right out of the package to cut down on prep time. Great for potluck.”

  • “Delicious!Creamy, tasty and oh so good!!Thanks, this one is a keeper!!”

  • “Yummy!! First time making mac & cheese, and this recipe made it so easy and good!I did leave the bread crumbs out, and I added more mustard to it.Interesting…putting cream cheese in…try the recipe.It yummy.Comes out nice and golden brown from the oven”

  • “OMG, this is wonderful! so creamy and wonderful flavor. It was really easy to make too, and had everything on hand! Great Kid pleaser!!! Definatly make again!”

  • “This was REALLY yummy! For some reason, though I followed the instructions precisely – mine was a bit drier than we care for – so I’ll just add more milk next time! SO yummy! Thanks for sharing!”

  • “Wow! A great recipe.I made this for July 4th and the family went nuts.I doubled the recipe and didn’t have any problems. Thanks for another addition to our family gatherings.”

  • “I made this last night for dinner and I love the creamy texture and the melted cheddar cheese.I will be making this again for sure.My daughter said it was way better than the one I normally make.Thanks, Lennie.”

  • “Wow, this was awesome!This was my first time making homemade mac & cheese and this was the best tasting homemade recipe I’ve every eaten.I followed the recipe exactly; used extra sharp cheddar chese.I served this with some little smokie sausages.Melt in your mouth creamy delicious! “

  • “This recipe was delicious.I made it exactly as the recipe stated and was not dissappointed.I sprinkled smoked paprika on top.We will be making this again!Thanks!”

  • “I think this recipe is just right! I added just a little more salt and halved the recipe.I will definately make this again. Thanks Lennie!”

  • “I made this today for a pool party for eight people. We were having ribs on the grill.Mac and cheese sounded like a good match.Wish I could have enjoyed more of it but it was gone in a flash.People came back for seconds of this before anything else.Very creamy, tasty, and unusual.I have already been asked to make it for the next party.Thank you!”

  • “WOW!!! What great macaroni and cheese! I would give this 10 stars if I could. Very creamy and cheesy…PERFECT! I never would have thought to add mustard and cream cheese before. The addition of the cream cheese and Dijon mustard made it elegant mac and cheese.”

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