Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Last night for dinner, I made baked macaroni and cheese, and it was amazing. Very similar to my original macaroni and cheese recipe, but this one is a little easier. Next time I make it, I will add pictures to the recipe for you, but it should be pretty easy to follow! My husband and I both agreed this was the best way I’ve made mac n cheese yet, and I am excited to share my recipe with you!

Ingredients:

Pasta- I used a box of shells

4 tbsp of butter

1/4 cup of flour

2 cups of milk

4 slices of pepper jack cheese

3 cups of cheddar cheese

3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp ground powered mustard.

Instructions:

Cook the pasta according to the directions. I cooked mine 2 minutes less because I wanted the end result to be al dente. It will keep cooking in the oven.

In a large skillet melt the butter and add the flour. Mix until combined. I like to use a whisk at first. Then after it starts to make a sauce I use a wooden spoon with a flat edge.  Pour the milk in slowly, a cup at a time.  It will start to form a mixture. Let the mixture bubble for a minute or two. This cooks  the flour, so you don’t taste the flour  and makes the creamy consistency. Nothing is worse than macaroni when the flour is not cooked and you can taste it and feel the gritty texture. Yucky.

Stir well! At this point the mixture should be creamy and no lumps.

Add the seasonings: garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Mix in well.

Add the pepperjack cheese and 2 cups of cheddar cheese. Let it melt fully. Mixture should be a creamy sauce now. When you pick your spoon up out of the pan, the sauce should hang on for just a second then fall right off of it. If it doesn’t – sauce is too thick. You will need to add more milk. If it doesn’t hang on to the spoon for that second, add more flour- a pinch at a time- and bring to a boil. You want to make sure flour cooks!

Remove from heat. Toss the noodles into the sauce and combine well!

Pour macaroni and cheese into a greased baking dish and top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs. (3/4 cup of mozz, 1 cup of cheddar should be remaining)

Bake for 25 minutes on 400 degrees.

Now you have a delicious side dish, or main entree!

 

We had this as a side with grilled asparagus, cabbage and chicken, but can be eaten with anything! Easy and yummy dish to make when you just need some comfort food too :).

Let me know how this turns out when you make it! I love hear from you!

 

Lisa Annie

Xxoo