1-Creating this mac and cheese starts with preheating your oven to 325°F and lightly greasing an 8-inch square baking dish, which helps get everything ready for a bubbly finish. First, cook the macaroni until it’s slightly under al dente, about one minute less than the package says, then drain it to keep the texture just right. This step ensures your pasta absorbs the sauce without becoming mushy.

2-Next, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the flour, salt, and pepper, cooking for about 2 minutes to build a smooth base. Gradually whisk in the milk and half and half, then cook on medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens like gravy. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until it’s just melted, creating a creamy sauce that’s hard to resist.

3-Combine the cooked macaroni with this cheese sauce, mixing well for even coverage. Pour half into your prepared baking dish, sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese, add the rest of the mixture, and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until it’s melted and bubbly the total preparation time is around 30 minutes. This method makes it simple for anyone, from newlyweds starting out to seniors enjoying familiar flavors, and you can serve it right away for extra creaminess or bake for that gooey baked effect.