Everyone deserves to treat themselves from time to time, especially when it comes to comfort food. And what is more comforting than a piping hot dish of mac and cheese? It's warm, cheesy, and absolutely indulgent.

But let's be honest, some mac and cheese recipes can be quite complicated, requiring various types of cheese, specialty ingredients, and culinary skills. Who has time for that?

Well, fear not! We have the ultimate solution to your craving. A mouth-watering simple mac and cheese recipe that requires only a handful of ingredients and very little effort.

Firstly, let's talk about the main star of this recipe - the cheese sauce. Did you know that on average, Americans eat around 35 pounds of cheese per year? That's a lot of cheese! But for good reason, because there's no denying that cheese makes everything better.

Now, onto the recipe. You'll need 8 oz of elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup milk, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

Cook your pasta according to the package directions, but make sure it's al dente (slightly firm) because it will continue to cook in the cheese sauce later.

In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the flour to make a roux. Whisk well to remove any lumps. Gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. It should take around 4 minutes.

Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and smooth. Add in the salt and pepper, taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Finally, combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and mix well.

Voila! A simple mac and cheese recipe that's ready to serve. This recipe serves two, so feel free to double or triple the ingredients if you'd like to feed more people.

You might wonder why this is the ultimate comfort food. Well, besides being warm and cheesy (the ultimate comfort combination), it's also a nostalgic dish that brings back fond memories of childhood. It's just one of those dishes that instantly makes you feel better after a long day.

So go ahead, indulge in this simple mac and cheese recipe and savor every cheesy bite. Your taste buds will thank you.

Indulge in Ultimate Comfort Food: Mouth-Watering Simple Mac And Cheese Recipe!

Who doesn't love Mac and Cheese? It's the ultimate comfort food that anyone can devour, cheesy, creamy, and best served hot. Here is a recipe for perfect simple mac and cheese that will take around 30 minutes to prepare starting to end. The good news is you don't require any special culinary skills to cook it at home. So, let's dive into the ingredients first!

Ingredients

• 1 pound of elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk or heavy cream (whichever is available)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper (according to preference)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the macaroni according to the package. Drain well and set aside.
2. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until its completely melted. Now add flour and whisk continuously for nearly 1 minute, try not to burn butter.
3. In the pot only, gradually add milk, a splash at a time, to achieve a smooth paste-like consistency.
4. Add the bay leaf, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Bring the sauce to a high simmer while constantly whisking until it becomes smooth, silky and the desired consistency attained.
5. Lower the heat and gradually sprinkle cheese into the mixture while stirring repeatedly in between. Mix well while presenting cheese, so it melts correctly.
6. Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix vigorously so it covered through cheese sauce evenly.
7. Your delicious mac and cheese await and allow resting for 5-10 minutes for cheeses to remain stable in shape.
8. Serve hot, there'll be enough for eight lovely servings, friends, and family alike.

Nutrition

Fried foods weren't precisely excellent for anything, and mac and cheese aren't either, but if you watch your portion sizes, it can fulfill your cravings without adverse effects. This delicious classic comfort food has many health benefits that enable us to lighten brightly our strategy, including:

• About 392 calories per serving.
• 215 mg sodium
• Protein included
• Vitamin B Included
• Some calories don't absorb but instead remove from the body.

So, sharpen your cooking skills, serve up—and appreciate your holiday season any day of the year with the perfect self-prepared mac and cheese on a hectic working day, as it is complete indulgence that no one would want to miss out on!

That's it! You now have a simple but scrumptious Mac and Cheese dish that you can customize to your liking. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, toppings, and spices to make it even more delicious. The best part? You don't need to be a master chef to whip up this comfort food staple.

We hope this recipe made you drool in anticipation of trying it out. Go ahead and indulge in some cozy nights in and savory indulgences. Happy cooking!