Treat your family to homemade mac and cheese.
Making homemade macaroni and cheese isn't quite as easy as preparing a boxed version, but the results are well worth the extra kitchen time. Mac and cheese is classic comfort food made with a creamy sauce, elbow-shaped pasta and a crunchy topping. You can serve the delicious dish alongside a variety of main courses, such as hamburgers, fried chicken and baked fish. When served with a fresh garden salad, mac and cheese makes a tasty vegetarian meal.
Instructions
1. Boil 8 oz. of elbow macaroni until it is al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander over a sink and transfer it to a casserole dish.
2. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk 2 1/2 tbsp. of all-purpose flour and 1 tbsp. of powdered mustard into the melted butter until the mixture has a paste-like consistency.
3. Add 3 cups of cold milk and lower the stove top to "low." Stir the mixture constantly until it begins to thicken.
4. Stir 3 cups of sharp, shredded cheese into the sauce and stir until melted. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and blend well. Melt 3 tbsp. of butter in a saucepan and stir in 1 cup of crushed butter crackers or panko breadcrumbs. Spoon the crackers or crumbs evenly over the mac and cheese. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Bake the macaroni and cheese for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Tags: macaroni cheese