This Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese for Two recipe is rich, decadent and the perfect addition to your next date night (or just because) menu!
With all the extra time we've been spending at home, I try to find different ways to shake up date night. One of my favorite things to do is create an at-home date night experience with a romantic atmosphere and a delicious menu that would rival any fancy restaurant!
Prepared and served in single-serve ramekins, this mac and cheese is creamy, smoky and perfectly portioned for a night in. This deliciously creamy Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese pairs perfectly with any entrée you happen to be in the mood for, from steak to chicken, salmon, shrimp, or anything in between!
Making Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese for Two
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease two 8 ounce ramekins and set aside.
Heat a tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute.
Add flour to skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add half and half while continuing to stir. Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
Add cheese to sauce and stir to combine. Add macaroni noodles and stir to coat all noodles with cheese sauce. Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired. Transfer mac and cheese to prepared ramekins and sprinkle a small amount of cheese on top of each ramekin. Bake in preheated oven for 15- 20 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Allow mac and cheese to cool for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
What Other Cheeses Can I Use?
Any good melting cheese work work beautifully in this mac and cheese recipe. Just to name a few, sharp or mild cheddar, gouda, gruyere and fontina are some great options! Crumbly cheeses such as feta or goat cheese are not ideal for mac and cheese.
Also try to avoid packaged pre-shredded cheese as they have additives to keep the cheese from clumping together, which affect their melting capability. Shredding your own cheese using a grater is the best way to go when preparing mac and cheese at home.
Can I Make This Recipe Into a Large Serving?
Absolutely! You will simply need to adjust your measurements. Follow the measurements in this Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese Recipe for a full size portion.
What to Serve With Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese for Two
The options are plentiful when it comes to main courses and vegetables to accompany this delicious mac and cheese. Grilled or pan seared salmon, braised chicken, grilled or pan seared steak, grilled shrimp, meatloaf, tuna steaks, kabobs...you name it and it will probably go great with this Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese!
Some Pink Owl Kitchen favorites are:
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Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese for Two
Equipment
- 2 8-ounce ramekins
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup half and half
- ¼-½ teaspoon smoked sea salt or regular salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper optional
- ½ cup smoked cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups macaroni noodles cooked to al dente according to package instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease two 8-ounce ramekins and set aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute.
- Add flour to skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add half and half while continuing to stir. Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
- Add cheese to sauce and stir to combine. Add macaroni noodles and stir to coat all noodles with cheese sauce. Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired. Transfer mac and cheese to prepared ramekins and sprinkle a small amount of cheese on top of each ramekin. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow mac and cheese to cool for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
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