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    Home » Main Dishes » Casserole Recipes

    Easiest Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Published: Apr 12, 2016 · Modified: Dec 17, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

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    This is the easiest mac and cheese you’ll ever make. Seriously. I think it rivals the box in both taste and simplicity.

    Easiest Mac and Cheese Recipe | Life as Mom this …

    Food is a great comforter. There is just something about the connection between our taste buds and our brain that can do wonders. I don’t pretend to understand it, but the right foods can make us feel better when the rain has spoiled our parade, when the dog has eaten our homework, when no one likes us and we’re tempted to go eat worms.

    I grew up on mac and cheese from a box. And quite frankly, I still love it. About once a year I will buy a box and eat the whole thing myself. Not because I’m such a glutton, but because my family doesn’t care for boxed mac and cheese.

    The rest of the time I make homemade Mac and cheese. Whether’s it’s a fun Italian take like my Alfredo Mac and Cheese or made in the Instant Pot like this Easy Mac & Cheese in the Instant Pot recipe, homemade macaroni and cheese is a sure-fire winner.

    Easiest Mac and Cheese Recipe | Life as Mom

    One of my favorites is this Mac and Cheese recipe that FishPapa and I have been making forever. In our newlywed days, we could easily eat the whole batch ourselves. Now, we restrain ourselves and share some with the kids.

    This Mac and Cheese recipe is very easy, very make-ahead, and it freezes well also. What more could you ask for?

     Easiest Mac and Cheese Recipe

     

    close up of macaroni on plate with large bowl
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    4.75 from 8 votes

    Easiest Mac and Cheese Recipe

    This is the easiest mac and cheese you'll ever make. Seriously. I think it rivals the box in both taste and simplicity.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 327kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz elbow macaroni or penne pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained
    • 8 oz sour cream
    • 8 oz cheddar cheese cubed
    • salt
    • black pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the noodles until al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
    • While the pasta is cooking, in a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cheese cubes, and salt and pepper. Stir in the drained noodles.
    • Spoon this mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.

    Notes

    The dish may be frozen prior to baking. Simply chill completely in the fridge and store covered in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @goodcheapeatsblog or tag #goodcheapeats!

    Easiest Mac and Cheese | Life as Mom

    What’s YOUR favorite comfort food?

    A person holding a bowl of soupHow about you? What’s your family’s favorite comfort food. There’s bound to be something you enjoy when youare sick, snowed in, or just need a little pick me up. Today’s the day to share it!

    Can’t wait to see what you cook up on a rainy day!

    This post was originally published on January 22, 2009.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shari

      March 15, 2021 at 7:13 am

      5 stars
      My son is turning 12 tomorrow and he requested this mac n cheese recipe for his birthday dinner. It’s all my kids’ favorite version of it.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        April 05, 2021 at 10:38 am

        5 stars
        Yay! Music to my ears. 😉

        Reply
    2. Jane

      December 12, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      This was great and believe me I’ve tried so many ways to make Macc and cheese I dident think there could be anymore but there you go yours pops up and so so easy. I must admit though I could quite get with the small blocks of cheese rather than grated. So I asked Hubby what he though and he said no rather have it grated so it spreads out more rather than little blocks throughout. So maybe I’ll try it sometime just to see the difference. I won’t tell anyone just see what they say. Anyway many thanks for this another great Macc and cheese recipe. So

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        December 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm

        Yay! So glad it passed the test, even with the cheese cubes. 😉

        Reply
    3. Britt

      February 19, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      Have you ever tried this with shredded cheese?
      To be exact A brick of cheese that has been shredded. Not the pre shredded bags.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        February 20, 2020 at 12:02 pm

        Yes, works just as well.

        Reply
    4. Marie

      September 17, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      For a second I thought your name was Jessica Fletcher????…I digress…who doesn’t need another go to Mac and cheese recipe?!?! This one is easy peasy and delish… I added some sautéed onion for a little extra oomph.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        September 18, 2019 at 7:58 am

        I loved Murder She Wrote! 😉

        Reply
    5. Emily

      January 04, 2019 at 3:03 pm

      Do you happen to know a rough cup measurement of the noodles? I have a giant bag of noodles and no scale.
      Recipe looks awesome! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        January 04, 2019 at 3:05 pm

        2 cups if you’re using standard elbow noodles

        Reply
    6. Jo

      September 10, 2018 at 8:37 am

      This is my 3 year old daughter’s favorite mac and cheese. I made it yesterday with half sharp cheddar and half monterrey jack – and it is AMAZING.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        November 10, 2018 at 10:51 am

        I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for your feedback!

        Reply
    7. Mary

      August 16, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      What do you mean salted water?

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        August 16, 2017 at 4:24 pm

        Pasta is best cooked in salted water. It not only helps the water boil faster, but it also seasons the noodles.

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter their budget.

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