Thursday, March 15, 2012

Mac 'n Cheese

Growing up we occasionally had boxed Macaroni and cheese because it was quick to make and cheap for our big family of 8. I actually really liked it and still to this day I do but there is just something about homemade that is just out of this world. I absolutely love homemade mac n cheese and pretty much that is the only kind we eat around here. I have been searching for just the right recipe for it and I have finally found one I like. You see because I like mine to taste more like just melted cheese over noodles than noodles with a melted velveeta cheese sauce. Mine also has to be baked in the oven with a little extra cheese and bread crumbs(preferably from homemade bread)on top. So if you love HOmemade Mac N cheese you better go give this recipe a try you family will thank you for it!!! Oh and one more thing don't try to skinny this recipe with skim milk and such it just won't be as good. It is mac n cheese for goodnesssake just enjoy it! YOu have to be able to indulge sometimes just run and extra mile in your workout the day you make it if that makes you feel better!!!


Macaroni and Cheese
1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
5 cups whole milk
2 lbs grated cheddar cheese or half cheddar half pepperjack
4 tsp (heaping) dry ground mustard(found in spice isle)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 - 1 1/2 lb of favorite shaped pasta(we like elbows or bowties but use what you like)
1-2 cups bread crumbs

Cook pasta until al dente according to pkg directions. Meanwhile melt the butter in a large pot. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute stirring so it doesn't burn. Whisk in the milk, mustard, salt, season salt, and pepper and continue stirring and cooking for five to ten minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low and add in the grated cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Dump in the cooked pasta and stir well. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan or large casserole dish. Top with a little extra cheese and sprinkle with as much bread crumb as you like. I tend to go closer to 2 cups but do what you and your family likes. Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Yum!!!!

Note: if you like the gooey cheesy kind of mac n cheese than don't bake it just eat it right away!!

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