Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese Recipe

A family heirloom recipe passed down through generations! This creamy, dreamy macaroni and cheese is made with love, using my grandmother's secret techniques. Get ready for a cheesy, bubbly bake that's guaranteed to become a family favorite. This recipe is adaptable – bake it for a golden-brown crust or enjoy it straight from the stovetop for a quick and comforting meal. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 90 mins

Calories 440.6 kcal

Protein 40g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese

Elbow Macaroni
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
All Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon salt
Whole Milk
Cheddar Cheese
6-8 slices American cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Ground Black Pepper

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How to Make Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 3-quart square Corningware casserole dish (or similar sized baking dish).
Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Melt butter in a double boiler over medium-low heat. (Alternatively, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly.)
Whisk in salt and ground mustard. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth.
Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
Continue to whisk constantly over low heat until the sauce thickens and is smooth and creamy (about 5-7 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
Place half of the cooked macaroni in the prepared casserole dish.
Pour about 1/3 of the cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir gently to combine.
Layer the American cheese slices evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
Add the remaining macaroni and cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine.
Sprinkle the top evenly with Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

17 g

Sugar

16g

Fat

55g

Carbs

16g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Sweets & Sides Side Dishes The Americas American Southern Vegetarian Holiday Recipes Baking

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese?

Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese takes about 110 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 90 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese?

Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese has approximately 440.6 calories per serving, with about 40 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates and 28 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese?

The key ingredients for Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese are Elbow Macaroni, Butter, All Purpose Flour, Ground Mustard, Salt, Whole Milk. See the full list with measurements above.