7/17/2009

Mac-n-Cheese


Every time I ask Maren, the 7-year old, "What should we have for dinner?", she replies, without hesitation, "Macaroni and cheese."
She does NOT mean the box.

4 c. macaroni noodles, cooked following directions on package

3 c. milk
1/2 c. flour
3 c. cheddar cheese, grated (sharp, medium or colby jack works)
1/4 brick cream cheese
1 T. parmesan cheese
1/2 T. salt
1 tsp. mustard
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. paprika

Whisk flour into milk over MED HI in a pot. If you have a shaker, shake flour and 2 c. milk until smooth, pour into pot, then whisk in rest of milk. Whisk constantly until it begins to boil and thicken. Turn heat down to MED.
Stir in cheeses and seasonings and stir until smooth and creamy.
Drain noodles and add to pot. Combine and serve.

Add-ins:
1 c. frozen peas
fresh chopped tomatoes
1 T. finely chopped onion

Topper:
Pour Mac-n-Cheese in a buttered casserole dish. In a small bowl combine 1 c. fresh bread crumbs (gently crumble old bread or end pieces between your hands), 2 T. melted butter, a dash of salt, sugar, onion, and garlic powder. Mix well and sprinkle evenly over noodles. Bake in 350 oven for 20 mins. or until topping is lightly toasted. Serve with salad or veggie.

2 comments:

Qpatches said...

GOOD ONE; my granddaughters LOVE my home-made mac and cheese. BUT I need to get away from the Land O Lakes AMERICAN Cheese - so this is good idea. KEEP up good recipes. I want to eliminate as many chemicals out of our meals as is possible.

Denise said...

Just curious . . . I thought parmesan cheese was loaded with msg. Did I read something wrong?