How To Make The Best Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

We've all had Macaroni and Cheese from the box, and I'll admit that I still do from time to time - like when I'm starving after a long night out and I want something salty and easy to make! I even keep a box with the cheese-like powdery stuff for such emergencies - it lasts pretty much forever - though if forced to choose, I would rather eat the kind with the cheese-like sauce...

For most of my life I didn't know that it was even feasible to make Macaroni and Cheese from scratch. Mac and Cheese was a staple food when I was growing up, and it always came from that blue box. Then a few years ago I found a recipe for the real thing and was shocked at how simple it is!

Making homemade Mac and Cheese doesn't take much longer than making it from a box, but the difference in taste between the two is like night and day. And if you have a food processor to grate the cheese, it's even quicker!

This particular recipe is quite rich and uses a LOT of cheese and milk, so I usually save it for holidays and special occasions. It's always a terrific hit at pot luck dinners, and it has become a go-to dish when people ask if I can bring a covered dish to party or other get-together (which they always do!)

I use a blend of two different cheeses for extra flavor, but in a pinch you can just use your favorite Cheddar. I also use a mixture of Evaporated and Whole Milk - I find that when I make a Cheese Sauce with Whole Milk alone, it's sometimes a bit chalky.

I like to add some veggies to my Macaroni and Cheese, and I list a few other additions you might like to try at the end of the recipe.

This recipe makes enough to serve 6 people, but it can easily be scaled up for holidays or other get-togethers - just double all the ingredients and use a 3-quart casserole, instead!

There's nothing quite as nice as homemade Macaroni and Cheese - it's one of those great comfort foods that always gives me a lift...

• 1 1/2 quart Casserole
• Food Processor
• Large Non-Stick Skillet
• Stew Pot

• 1 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
• 3 slices Bread
• 1/2 pound Elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 12 ounce can Evaporated Milk, plus enough Whole Milk to make 3 cups
• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2 cups (about 9 ounces) White Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
• 1 cup (about 4 ounces)  Monterey Jack or Gruyere Cheese, grated

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Tear the Bread into pieces and place the pieces in the Food Processor bowl with the Chopping Blade. Pulse the Bread a few times to create large bread crumbs.
3. Transfer the Bread Crumbs to a mixing bowl.
4. Pour 1 tablespoon of melted Butter over the Bread Crumbs and stir to evenly coat the Bread Crumbs with Butter.
5. Set bread Crumbs aside.
6. In a separate mixing bowl, mix the Grated Cheeses together.
7. Cook the Macaroni according to the instructions on the box, but reduce the cooking time by half. (The Macaroni will finish cooking in the oven) When it's done cooking, strain it into a colander and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to finish draining.
8. Meanwhile, warm the Milk in the microwave or in a small saucepan.
9. In a large, high-sided non-stick skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of Butter over Medium heat.
10. Once the bubbles subside, add the Flour to the Butter and whisk to create a Roux.
11. Slowly pour the warmed Milk over the Roux, whisking continuously to maintain a smooth texture.
12. Continue whisking for 5 or 6 minutes until thickened. (This is a classic "Bechamel Sauce" - you can see how it's made in the video following this recipe!)
    
13. Remove the pan from heat.
14. Add the Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg and Cayenne to the Bechamel Sauce.
15. Stir in most of the Cheese - save about a cup's worth for the topping.
16. Pour the Cheese Sauce over the Macaroni and stir to completely coat the Macaroni.
17. Spray the Casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
18. Pour the Macaroni and Cheese mixture into the Casserole dish.
19. Sprinkle the remaining Cheese over the top, then sprinkle the Buttered Bread Crumbs over the Cheese.
20. Bake for 30 minutes until crust is golden brown.
21. Remove Casserole from the oven and let it rest on the stovetop for 5 minutes.
22. Enjoy!
    

Before adding the Cheese Sauce to the Macaroni, try one or more of these additional ingredients!

• 8 to 16 ounces of frozen peas, corn or edamame
• Fresh Broccoli florets
• Cooked, crumbled Sausage or Ground Beef

Looking for more fast and easy cooking recipes?

Check out Edweirdo's Cookbook for great FREE recipes online!

This Homemade Mac & Cheese is the perfect side dish to The Best Roast Turkey Ever!

You can also make a Great Sage Sausage and Apple Stuffing to complete that Thanksgiving Dinner Menu!

_{Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/benimoto/ / CC BY 2.0}