Yum - I love mac and cheese and I usually fall on the convenience of Annie's Organic Shells and Cheddar, but there are times when you
want the homemade, oooey, gooey, cheesy goodness of baked mac and cheese.
Here's a classic preparation for baked mac and cheese. Enjoy!
Baked Mac & Cheese - Classic Prep
Ingredients:
8 oz package dry elbow macaroni
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk*
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
8 - 12 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Keep warm.
Start oven to preheating (400°F).
Melt the butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes (like I've posted before - you're making a roux - do not let it brown). Gradually whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in salt, white pepper, 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese and cooked pasta.
Spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 2 quart baking dish; top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
* For really decadent mac and cheese, sometimes I use a 5 oz can of evaporated milk mixed with 11 more ounces regular milk to equal 2 cups.
Notes:
Want the classic Mac & Cheese taste? Use Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
To lighten the recipe up, 2% reduced-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese may be substituted.
OH, you can use any pasta shape, but tubular or shell shapes seem to hold little pockets of the scrumptious cheese sauce, allowing for a burst of cheesy flavor.
Prep: 10 min. Cook: 27 min.
Want a meal in one? OK - no prob. Stir in diced ham or chicken along with 2 cups mixed vegetables (thawed from frozen) just before baking. Add about 5-10 minutes to the overall baking time.
Want to make it in one pot? OK - no prob. Prepare recipe as directed, stirring all grated Cheddar cheese into thickened milk mixture until melted. Add cooked pasta, and serve immediately.
Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 10 minutes
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