Budget Creamy Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Celebrates All Shapes & Sizes (5 Ingredients) Pasta Dinner Budget Recipes Lunch Side Dishes Vegetarian Gluten-free

Homemade macaroni and cheese is always a kid favorite for lunch or dinner. Find you have lots of boxes or bags of pasta in all shapes and sizes with just a little left? The end-of-the box pasta can be turned into a delicious, smooth and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe!

To make this budget recipe you only need five simple ingredients. Here is what to grab from your pantry and fridge for this pasta recipe: pasta in all shapes and sizes, butter, flour (all-purpose or gluten-free), milk and cheese. That's an easy shopping list, right? You probably already have everything you need!

This budget macaroni and cheese recipe not only celebrates all shapes and sizes and saves you money, but can be a vegetarian main dish or hearty side dish with dinner. 

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

• 2 - 3 cups regular pasta or gluten-free pasta (all shapes and sizes)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 - 2 cups grated cheese

Here's how to make it:

1. Round up those partial boxes of pasta and cook each on separately, according to package directions. 
2. Melt the butter in a skillet. Add the flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the milk and simmer until thick. Remove from heat. Use whatever kind of milk you like. I use whole milk, but you could use nut milk, evaporated milk or even half and half. 
3. Melt in whatever cheeses you have. My family loves a combination of cheddar, gruyere and Parmesan.
4. Add the cooked pasta. 
5. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes. Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave. 

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