Pasta: Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Macaroni pie anyone?  That is what the folks ‘across the pond’ (the British) call Macaroni & Cheese.  Well, I don’t know that I ever associate this food with the UK- because I feel that there are few things more American (and growing up as a child in America) than macaroni & cheese.

I am all about comfort food.  Who isn’t… right?  Well Macaroni & Cheese is exactly that!  Some may think that you can’t do a month of recipes about pasta if you don’t include a recipe for good old fashioned mac & cheese.  I would agree.

While I would say that a VAST MAJORITY of the macaroni & cheese that is consumed in this country is from a box, with powdered, canned, or processes cheese sauce- I am here to tell you that making some homemade macaroni & cheese is very simple… and not too expensive either.  (cheese can get pricy- but you can make substitutions for whatever is on sale!)

Print your own copy of this recipe: CLICK HERE!

Ingredients

3 c. large elbow macaroni

6 T. butter

1 t. salt

2  t. pepper

4 T. flour

1 c. milk

1 c. heavy cream

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese  **use regular or mild cheese if you are making this for kids who may not like the full flavor of sharp cheddar**

1 c. shredded Colby or Monterey Jack cheese (I use a blend)

Jarlsberg Cheese

Panko Bread Crumbs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400.

Bring a pot of water to a boil.

Cook macaroni to desired texture.

In a saucepan melt butter on medium heat. Add milk and crème.

Stir in flour, pepper, and salt - whisk until blended.  Thicken slightly, but don’t let the mixture thicken too much.  (approximately 3-5 minutes… until the consistency is like a thin gravy)

In a large saucepan mix macaroni, 2 c. Cheddar Cheese, 1 c. Colby/Monterey Jack Cheese and milk/cream mixture.

Heavily butter or spray a large baking dish.

Pour macaroni mixture into the baking dish.

Grate approximately 1 c. fresh Jarlsberg Cheese to top the macaroni mixture.

Place approximately 1 c. (or more depending on how much you need to place a ¼ inch top layer) of Panko Bread Crumbs.  Cover.

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

This recipe is GREAT on its own, or as a compliment to any other dish.  It is great with chicken… especially fried chicken.  (You could use a roasted chicken recipe too if you were wanting to be more healthy.)  Have you ever had macaroni & cheese with ham?  Try it!

Note; this recipe accepts alterations and substitutions VERY well.  Do you like a dish with a bite?  Substitute pepper jack for the cheddar.  Do you like it more creamy?  Add more milk. It is hard to mess up this recipe.