• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Lindsey Farr logo
  • All Recipes
  • Trending
  • Dessert
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Trending
  • Dessert
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Trending
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Breakfast
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Dinner

    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    Published: May 4, 2013 | Updated: May 11, 2022

    PinShareYummlyTweetEmail

    My Dad's recipe for Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese is rich, flavorful and incredibly cheesy! His secret ingredient makes this the best mac & cheese ever!

    Jump to Recipe
    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    Is there anything so comforting as Macaroni and Cheese fresh out of the oven? With its gooey, cheesy inside and its crunchy breadcrumb crusted topping, there are few savory comfort foods that can compare.

    Growing up, the birthday child (or adult) got to choose whatever they wanted for their birthday dinner, and the number one pick was Dad’s Macaroni and Cheese. That is what we called it growing up but it was actually his Mother’s recipe. We called it Dad’s Macaroni and Cheese because it tasted infinitely better when Dad made it.

    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    The Farr Family Macaroni and Cheese recipe is very similar to the recipes in my antique cookbooks except that it has one secret ingredient. For twenty years my Dad wouldn’t share his secret ingredient with anyone: it wasn’t on the recipe card, no one was allowed to be around when he made it, and he certainly never told us.

    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

     

    There have been very few changes made to the original Macaroni and Cheese recipe, but rumor has it that my Mom added the breadcrumbs on top. As I was pulling the final dish together last night, I reached for the ubiquitous Potato Breadcrumbs (yes, there are still some left!) and thought, “You know what makes breadcrumbs better? Butter! Mmmm buttered breadcrumb topping.” And that is how the current iteration of the recipe came to be. I hope my Dad will approve of my addition.

    Old Fashioned Macaroni & Cheese

    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    Chef Lindsey
    My Dad's recipe for Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese is rich, flavorful and incredibly cheesy! His secret ingredient makes this the best mac & cheese ever!
    Prevent screen from sleeping
    PRINT Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 578 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    For the Mac & Cheese:

    • 2 cups dried macaroni (cooked to al dente)
    • 6 Tablespoons salted butter
    • 6 Tablespoons flour
    • 1 Tablespoon dry mustard (the secret ingredient. Shhh!)
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese (grated )
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

    For the Topping:

    • ½ cup finely ground breadcrumbs
    • 2 Tablespoons salted butter (for crumbs)
    Makes: 8inch8 x 8inch rectangle

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
    • Cook your macaroni until it is firm. Drain and set aside.
    • Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add mustard to flour and stir to mix. Add flour mixture to melted butter, stirring until smooth. Cook 5 minutes on low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
    • Slowly add in milk a little at a time, stirring constantly until thick. Mixture should just come to boiling.
    • Turn off heat and add cheese, stir until cheese is fully melted. Add macaroni to cheese mixture and stir until it is fully coated. M
    • Spoon into oven-safe dish.
    • Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and mix with ½ cup breadcrumbs. Spread buttered crumbs on top.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.

    Notes

    This recipe as written makes an 8” x 8” dish. It will comfortable serve 4. I halved the recipe to make the ramekin pictured. It served 2 with some leftovers. It is actually a surprisingly easy dish to make, but it does require constant stirring for ~ 10 minutes.
    Keyword heirloom recipe, pasta recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cheflindseyfarr
    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

     

    It is rich and flavorful, and once you have one bite, there is no going back!

    PinShareYummlyTweetEmail

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. Lindsey says

      May 14, 2013 at 10:47 am

      Hi Janet! My Mom tells me that you have a lot more of your Mother's recipes, and I would love to try some!

      Reply
    2. Janet says

      May 13, 2013 at 1:02 pm

      Your Father should love it!! You nailed it! (No buttered breadcrumbs though, just plain)

      Reply
    3. Josie says

      May 06, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      Oh my this looks so good! I am a huge Mac&Cheese addict and have had trouble finding a recipe to make at home that's as good as restaurant stuff and this looks fantastic, I will definitely have to try it!

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        May 07, 2013 at 12:00 pm

        Thanks! Let me know what you think when you do try it!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lindsey! I am the baker, recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Chef Lindsey Farr. I believe in delicious homemade food and the power of dessert! 

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Traditional Raspberry Linzer Cookies
      Traditional Raspberry Linzer Cookies

    • Authentic Hungarian Walnut Rolls
      Authentic Hungarian Walnut Rolls

    • Apricot Kolaches
      Apricot Kolaches

    • The BEST Meatloaf Recipe
      The BEST Meatloaf Recipe

    • Old Fashioned Fruit Cake
      Old Fashioned Fruit Cake

    Footer

    About

    • Home
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes

    Our Brands

    • Pastry Creations

    Follow

    Copyright © 2023 Chef Lindsey Farr, LLC

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!