I love comfort food. This recipe for Foster Fam Favorite Mac and Cheese has been in our rotation of comfort food staples for years. When our kids were young, this was a go-to dinner with chicken and a salad.

There are a few key ingredients I focus on when making a mac and cheese that both kids and adults will love. Lots of cheese, lots of sauce, and simple ingredients cooked just right. This recipe is easy to make, won’t break the bank, and pantry/fridge staple friendly!

Cheese is the focus of a good mac and cheese, and this recipe calls for 4-5 cups of grated sharp cheddar. Sharp cheese gives this recipe great flavor – not too strong for kids and flavorful enough for adults!

For this mac and cheese recipe I relied on good old food storage elbow macaroni. I stored cases of it while our kids were growing up and used it for years. This recipe only takes two cups of macaroni, so once I open a can, I try to find other ways to use it. A couple favorites are Classic Shrimp Pasta Salad and Minestrone Soup.

This recipe also calls for a little grated onion and a bit of cayenne pepper. Don’t worry – the kids won’t even notice! These ingredients add a wonderful depth of flavor without being overwhelming.

I hope you will love Foster Fam Favorite Mac and Cheese as much as we do! Even though our kids are grown, we still make mac and cheese for family gatherings!

This recipe originally posted in 2008. Updated in 2024 with new photos and content.

Foster Fam Favorite Mac and Cheese

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Author: Si Foster
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups macaroni or other pasta
  • 1/4 cup onion, grated or finely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups milk, (2% or whole)
  • 4-5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated, divided
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, fresh or canned

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan or casserole dish.
  • Cook macaroni in boiling water according to package directions. Drain well. 
  • In a saucepan, cook onion in butter until soft. Add flour and seasonings.
  • Add milk all at once. Whisk until smooth.
  • Cook on medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add cheeses, stir until melted. 
  • Add the macaroni to cheese sauce and pour into casserole dish or pan. Top with about 3/4 cup grated cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.

Notes

  • Make ahead instructions: 
    Follow the directions as listed, adding 3 cups milk rather than 2 ½ cups. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. The additional ½ cup milk will absorb into the pasta and keep the mac and cheese from becoming too dry. 

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!