Description
Creamy, cheesy, and rich this Whole Foods Mac and Cheese recipe brings the flavor of the iconic hot bar favorite straight into your kitchen. It’s easy, indulgent, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or holidays.
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper (or black)
Optional: pinch of turmeric or nutritional yeast for color and flavor boost
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir for 2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly until thickened. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Fold in cooked pasta until evenly coated. Serve immediately, or transfer to a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes for a crispy golden top.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts better and gives a creamier result than pre-shredded. To lighten the dish, use low-fat milk or swap cream for Greek yogurt. You can add mix-ins like broccoli, bacon, or roasted garlic to elevate the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop (Baking Optional)
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 425 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Whole Foods Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, hot bar copycat