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Easy Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Hello Friends! Some recipes never go out of style, and homemade macaroni and cheese is one of them. It’s warm, comforting, and always brings everyone to the table with a smile. Around here, simple classics like this remind me that the best meals don’t have to be complicated — they just need to be made with love (and maybe a little extra cheese).

While new food trends come and go, real milk has always been a steady staple in our kitchen. It keeps this dish creamy and rich while adding the wholesome goodness my family needs. For our daughter, nothing says comfort quite like a creamy bowl of gluten-free mac and cheese paired with a cold glass of milk. It’s the kind of simple tradition that makes even an ordinary weeknight feel special.

If you’re looking for a meal that’s easy to put together, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to please, this Easy Creamy Macaroni and Cheese is it.

 

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Easy Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

A classic comfort food made simple, creamy, and can be made gluten free. This dish is warm, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Homestead
Keyword budget-friendly comfort food, creamy macaroni and cheese, easy family meals, easy macaroni and cheese, gluten-free mac and cheese

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Elbow pasta or shells We use Barilla Gluten Free Elbow Noodles
  • 2 tsp Olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp Flour We use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour
  • 2 1/2 cups Low-fat milk, divided
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 2 cups Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add gluten-free noodles and cook until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Toss pasta with olive oil and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Stir in flour until blended.
  • Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk until smooth and creamy. Stir in garlic powder.
  • Add cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated. Thin sauce with remaining 1/2 cup milk.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in cooked pasta until well coated. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Gluten-Free Option: This recipe was tested with Barilla Gluten Free Elbow Noodles. which hold their texture beautifully. Use gluten-free flour for the roux if you’re strictly gluten-free.
  • Make It Ahead: Cook the pasta and cheese sauce separately. Store in the fridge, then combine and warm on the stove with a splash of milk before serving.
  • Cheese Swap: Feel free to mix in mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère for different flavors.

Recipe Note

We make ours gluten-free by using Barilla Gluten Free Elbow Noodles, and I can honestly say no one at our table misses the wheat version. The texture holds up beautifully, and it still delivers that classic mac and cheese comfort we all love.

Bringing It All Together

Macaroni and cheese may be simple, but sometimes it’s the simplest meals that nourish us the most. A little butter, cheese, and milk turn an ordinary pot of pasta into comfort food that feeds both body and soul. Around our table, it’s these timeless recipes that make the best memories.

So the next time you’re wondering what to cook, give this Easy Creamy Macaroni and Cheese a try — gluten-free or not. Serve it up with a cold glass of milk and gather your people close, because good food is always better when it’s shared.

👉 If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a picture and tag @aswhomestead — I can’t wait to see your version.

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hello friends! i'm amanda

I’m here to share recipes and ideas to help others make their home a simple homemade homestead.

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