White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

5 from 4 votes

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

This white cheddar mac and cheese is creamy, garlicky, and baked to perfection. It's classic comfort food and the perfect side dish or main course for the entire family!

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Course: Entree, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Julie Maestre

Ingredients

16 ounces fusilli pasta or the pasta of your choice
4 cups white cheddar cheese divided *check notes*
4 tablespoons butter ½ stick
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 garlic cloves finely minced
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
4 ½ cups whole milk
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season it generously with Kosher salt, and cook the pasta until it's al dente.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
While the pasta cooks, you'll want to get started on the bechamel sauce. Add the butter to a large skillet and allow it to melt completely.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes while whisking continuously.
Stir in the milk and cook for 15-20 minutes over medium heat. Make sure to whisk frequently.
Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and add 2 cups of cheese and granulated garlic. Give it a good stir and then season generously with salt and pepper. Taste it and add more granulated garlic, if needed.
Fold in the cooked pasta and check for seasoning. Top it off with the remaining cheese, and bake for 10 minutes, and broil for 1-2 minutes.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving, and enjoy!

Notes

It is crucial that you whisk the bechamel sauce frequently so it doesn't stick to the bottom of your skillet.
For this mac and cheese to taste good, you have to season it generously with salt! Salt adds tons of flavor.
Make sure to broil the mac and cheese for at least 1 minute if you want it to come out hot and bubbly.
Feel free to throw in some crispy bacon, grilled shrimp, or the veggies of your choice!
Do not use pre-shredded cheddar cheese, it'll make your sauce grainy. I highly recommend buying a block of white cheddar cheese and grating it yourself.

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