Easy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe

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We celebrated last weekend and worked up an easy homemade macaroni and cheese bar recipe.

It was so fun you guys!

Don’t that good ole mac and cheese ever gets boring to kids, but spicing it up was even better.

Easy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe

Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
  • Macaroni. I like to use either shells or elbow macaroni to make this mac and cheese recipe and it always turns out delicious!
  • Butter. There really isn’t a substitute for butter in this recipe. However you can use either salter or unsalted with great results.
  • All-Purpose Flour. There are a few substitutions that work well for the flour including corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, and all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Milk. Any kind of liquid dairy works well in this recipe. Just remember the higher the fat content, the creamier your homemade mac and cheese will be. 2% milk, whole milk, half and half and cream all work well!
  • Sour Cream. I have used Greek Yogurt in place of sour cream with excellent results.
  • Cheese. I recommend a high-quality medium to sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Also, to avoid grainy mac and cheese, I suggest buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself. This ensures there are no stabilizers or additives in your cheese sauce.

How do you make Mac & Cheese?

In a nut shell you melt cheese and pour it over the noodles, but let’s get specific.

Macaroni and Cheese Directions

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water. Stop before it’s full cooked so it’s al dente and not too soft. Drain well. You’ll have to check it once in awhile to decide for yourself. Place in a large mixing bowl.

Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe simple

While the pasta is cooking, make your roux. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add the flour and whisk while away. Keep cooking 2-3 minutes longer.

Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe stove top

Keep about a 1/2 cup of each cheese for the topping. Stir the remaining cheese, salt, and pepper into the pot to make the cheese sauce.

Slowly pour in the milk and sour cream while whisking and cook until it thickens into a creamy sauce which should take maybe 5 minutes.

 

Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe from scratch

 

Remove the completed cheese sauce from heat.

Pour the cheese cheese over the pasta and stir until the pasta is covered and cheesy.

Mix it all together and you’re Mac and Cheese is ready to eat!

Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe classic

We like to add a little garlic salt at the very end. Yum!

What’s a Macaroni and Cheese bar?

A macaroni and cheese bar is the classic mac & cheese along with other tasty foods you like to along with it.

You can load it up all your favorite things!

What do you include in a Macaroni and Cheese Bar?

You can include anything you find delicious that goes well with mac and cheese in your macaroni and cheese bar.
Customize the bar and make it different every time.
We used the following:
Bacon
Tomatos
Chives
Broccoli
Crispy Fried Onions
Sausage
Macaroni and Cheese Bar Recipe festive

This macaroni and cheese bar is a quick and easy way to make comfort food extra special.

It’s also a great way to add nutrition to a high carb meal.

Don’t forget to pin this idea to Pinterest to try at your next gathering or special event.

Until next time you can find me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

xo maria

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Welcome to Pure Happy Home! A home design and DIY blog encouraging and helping you to design spaces you love. Here you’ll find budget makeovers, design tips and creative ideas you can apply to your home. Follow along as our family of 7 works to make our home more beautiful and our relationships closer.

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