I’m going to share my secret for the creamiest macaroni and cheese you’ll ever make at home. Bold statement, I know. The creamiest? Like, really, the creamiest? Are you sure?
Yep. I absolutely am. It’s the only way I make it now.
The secret isn’t in the type of cheese you choose or the sauce you make. Use whatever cheese you want! I mix it up. Sometimes, I’m feeling spicy and use pepper jack topped with jalapeños. Sometimes, I feel cultured and use an aged Parmigiano and fresh basil. And sometimes, I’m feeling extra hungry and use gouda and crumbled bacon.
The secret is in how you cook the noodles.
Stay with me here. This isn’t your traditional toss-in-boiling-water-then-strain-and-rinse. Nope. This is going to blow your mind.
Instead, cook the noodles in chicken stock, with just enough heat to simmer, and just enough chicken stock to cover the noodles. You may need to add more liquid while it’s cooking, so keep a close eye on it and stir frequently. But the trick is using the natural starchiness of the pasta to create a thick and creamy sauce. Trust me.
Step-by-step instructions for the creamiest mac and cheese you’ll ever make:
- Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven. (You can add garlic or other herbs if you’d like to add more flavor if that’s your jam.)
- Add 1-2 cups of chicken stock, depending on the amount of pasta you are making. Bring the stock to a simmer, and then add the pasta.
- Simmer and stir frequently, replacing liquid as needed. Add either more chicken stock or milk, whichever you prefer.
- As the pasta cooks, it will simultaneously absorb the cooking fluid and release starch, making the pasta extremely creamy.
- When the pasta is al dente, turn the heat down to low, add in your cheese, stir to melt, top with bacon, fresh herbs, or veggies, and enjoy!
The best part of this recipe? One pan to clean. You don’t have to wash a strainer or a casserole dish. Serve the mac and cheese out of the saucepan to really make cleaning up a breeze. Better still, keep things fair in the kitchen and have your kids or partner clean up. Equality and cheese. Life doesn’t get any better, does it?
