Creamy and cheesy homemade mac and cheese, seasoned with ranch seasoning mix and baked in the oven topped with crispy french fried onions. This creamy and cheesy mac and cheese makes the perfect easy side dish for any main meal, or even as a holiday side dish.
The mac and cheese sauce is made by first melting butter over medium heat, then cooking flour and the ranch seasoning until it is browned. Then pour in milk and cheese. Cook the sauce until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce has thickened. Mix the sauce with the cooked pasta. Spread the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. Top with more cheese and crispy fried onions. Bake until the cheese has fully melted.
Crispy French Fried Onion Ranch Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz. elbow pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ( 1 oz.) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 ( 6 oz.) bag french fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place into a large bowl. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add in flour and ranch seasoning mix, and cook for a minute to brown. Pour in milk, and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Continue to cook over medium heat, while whisking until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce has thickened.
- Mix the sauce with the cooked pasta. Spread the mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and fried onions. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
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