Description
Creamy, cheesy mac shells and cheese made with tender pasta shells and a luscious cheese sauce. A true comfort food classic that’s easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat and add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta shells to cheese sauce. Stir to coat completely.
- Serve warm and garnish with extra cheese or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can bake this dish with breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy finish.
- Add cooked bacon, ham, or broccoli to turn it into a full meal.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: mac shells and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, shell pasta cheese, homemade mac n cheese