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Macaroni and Cheese

A

aeiou

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I started my day by seeing my dentist for a root canal, which was not any fun. A root canal leaves your mouth very sore. On my way to pick up my pain medication I was trying to think what I could make for dinner that was soft enough to eat and would be more filling than pudding, jello or ice cream. I came up with a tried and true dish, Macaroni and Cheese. Even though there are some fine prepared Macaroni and Cheese available to purchase I prefer to make mine from scratch. Making Macaroni and Cheese really is a simple dish to make.
 
This is what the four year old and I ate tonight. I just didn't have the time or energy to make much else. Ours was the boxed variety though, I wish I had the ingredients for homemade. That would have made a much heartier meal. I have no idea what their dad ended up eating. He came home from work and told me he was full. I've become accustomed to cooking for three and it's harder to cook for two now.
 
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

The recipe I use for homemade Macaroni and Cheese is very simple and easy to make. Most people usually have the ingredients already in their kitchen. I like to grate my cheese fresh from a block of cheese when I make it but it works just as well with the shredded cheese you can buy in the grocery stores. The entire time to make and cook is approx 15 minutes about the same time it takes you to make the box macaroni and cheese.

6 ounces dried macaroni noodles
4 tbsps butter (split into 2 tbsps each)
2 tbsps flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup shredded Sharp cheddar cheese (can be mild or extra sharp your preference)
1/4 cup dried fine bread crumbs (unseasoned)
2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
pinch nutmeg (optional)
pinch red pepper (optional)

Boil the macaroni noodles according to package directions and drain. While the macaroni noodles are cooking melt 2 tbsps of butter in a saucepan. When melted mix in flour well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add milk to flour mixture and mix well. Add nutmeg and red pepper if you like (adds a little for flavor). Cook about 4-5 minutes or until milk begins to thicken. Add grated cheese and cook until all of the cheese is melted. Melt other 2 tbsps of butter in microwave. When done add bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese to form a bread crumb topping. Mix the macaroni and cheese sauce together. Pour into individual oven proof dishes. Top each dish with bread crumb topping. Cook at 500 degrees for 5-6 until top is lightly browned.
 
Hmm, sounds like a pretty easy recipe. I just live frugally so we don't have a lot of extras in the house. I should just plan to make this some day instead of buying the boxed stuff. I have to say though, we've discovered that grating cheese ourselves tastes so much better than the pre-shredded stuff. And it saves a little bit too!
 
Nice macaroni and cheese recipe, and is close to the one I make. By making the milk, cheese sauce, the cheese really sticks to the macaroni. It'a amazing. I tried several recipes for mac and cheese, but melting the cheese into hot milk is the secret to great macaroni and cheese.

I also love to make my macaroni and cheese with sharp cheddar and a whole wheat elbow macaroni noodle, but have made it with a penne whole wheat pasta as well. Could probably use shells.
 
alice.b.toklas said:
By making the milk, cheese sauce, the cheese really sticks to the macaroni.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can't do that with the powdered cheese in the boxed macaroni and cheese.

I like to add hot dogs slices to my macaroni and cheese. I cook them along with the pasta, then slice and add at the last step.
 
aeiou said:
6 ounces dried macaroni noodles
4 tbsps butter (split into 2 tbsps each)
2 tbsps flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup shredded Sharp cheddar cheese (can be mild or extra sharp your preference)
1/4 cup dried fine bread crumbs (unseasoned)
2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
pinch nutmeg (optional)
pinch red pepper (optional)

Boil the macaroni noodles according to package directions and drain. While the macaroni noodles are cooking melt 2 tbsps of butter in a saucepan. When melted mix in flour well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add milk to flour mixture and mix well. Add nutmeg and red pepper if you like (adds a little for flavor). Cook about 4-5 minutes or until milk begins to thicken. Add grated cheese and cook until all of the cheese is melted. Melt other 2 tbsps of butter in microwave. When done add bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese to form a bread crumb topping. Mix the macaroni and cheese sauce together. Pour into individual oven proof dishes. Top each dish with bread crumb topping. Cook at 500 degrees for 5-6 until top is lightly browned.
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I hope your tooth is better now. :)

I made your recipe for mac and cheese today for lunch and certify it as excellent.
 
Yes, my tooth is feeling better now thanks for asking Old Bay. To bad my dentist could not finish the root canal job after 2 hours and I will have to go back in 6 weeks to have it completed. You can be guaranteed that I will be making my Macaroni and Cheese recipe again in 6 weeks.

You can use just about any shape pasta except spaghetti when making this Macaroni and Cheese recipe. If you are making it for children you should try and get some fun shaped pasta. Does whole wheat pasta take longer to cook?
 
I tried several recipes for mac and cheese, but melting the cheese into hot milk is the secret to great macaroni and cheese.
Click to expand...

Wow, I've never even tried that. Thanks for the tip, Alice.

I also love to make my macaroni and cheese with sharp cheddar and a whole wheat elbow macaroni noodle, but have made it with a penne whole wheat pasta as well. Could probably use shells.
Click to expand...

Shells are my personal favorite when it comes to mac and cheese. Somehow it tastes better. :)
 
Yes, thanks for the tip Alice. Also that recipe sounds so good. I have to get the ingredients and then I can try it. I like shells also. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
 
I have never heard of that either. I will definately have to try that recipie. I love Mac and cheese so much...of course...so does my 5 year old.
 
I almost always make my mac 'n' cheese from scratch. However, if I'm feeling extra lazy, I'll make it from a box.
 
This is something I am going to try tonight. I have been really hungry for some homemade baked mac and cheese.
 
I am almost too embarrassed to admit that I made some of that orange out-of-a-mix mac and cheese today, but my kids were hungry RIGHT THEN and I had no time to wait!
 
The way we make it in our family is with elbow noodles, then we add diced tomatoes (not drained) and sharp chedder cheese. Once the cheese is melted we like to add just a little bit more of tomato juice. Just use a small can to give it a small amount of liquid. I think Mac and cheese is like a comfort food.
 
Mac and Cheese is difinately a comfor food. Thanks for the recipie. WW in FL
 
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