DREAMY CREAMY BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE - AKA: Mac & Cheese
Dreamy Creamy Mac and Cheese/Macaroni & Cheese
If you are a Mac & Cheese fan, I trust you will discover this recipe to be a rich creamy delight. People who have benefited from tasting this American classic walk away from the table usually commenting that it was one of the best Mac & Cheese dishes they've ever tasted.
Serves: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Suggested Tools:
· Large pot
· Large sauce pan
· Small sauce pan (optional for bread crumb topping)
· Small bowl
· Grater or food processor
· Colander
· Wooden spoon
· Whisk or large stir spoon
· Measuring cup
· Measuring spoon
· Casserole dish – medium (equivalent 9 x 9)
Ingredients:
Macaroni & Cheese -
· 2 cups uncooked macaroni
· ½ cup whole milk
· ½ cup half-n-half milk
· 4 ounces cream cheese
· 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick) plus 1 tsp for greasing casserole dish
· 4 tablespoons flour or ¼ cup
· 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese (mild, medium or sharp - whatever type you prefer)
· 1 teaspoon dried mustard
· ½ paprika
· ½ onion powder
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon pepper
Optional Bread Crumb Topping:
· ¼ cup dried plain bread crumbs
· ¼ cup butter (1/2 of one stick)
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to manufacturer directions until al dente (just slightly under done).
2. Place pasta in colander and rinse slightly with warm water and allow to drain while you prepare the sauce.
3. Mix all dry ingredients together in medium bowl and mix well and set aside while you begin to prepare roux/sauce.
4. On low heat, melt butter in large sauce pan and once the butter is melted, begin to lightly sprinkle in the flour and quickly whisk flour into milk. At this point you can turn the heat up slightly and slowly begin to add the milks a little at a time, stirring and whisking the milk into the roux. After each addition of milk stir until the mixture forms a roux and then add more milk until all the milk is used. Now you should have a nice milk gravy.
5. Add cheese to the gravy a little at a time and stir well between each addition of more cheese.
6. After all cheese has been added to the gravy and is well mixed, add the cooked pasta until well blended with the cheesy sauce.
7. Pour entire macaroni and cheesy gravy mixture into well buttered or sprayed casserole dish.
Optional Bread Crumb Topping:
1. Melt butter in small sauce pan
2. Once melted, mix in the bread crumbs and mix so crumbs are well coated with the butter.
3. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the casserole to your desired amount.
Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
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