This is an easy, straight-forward, classic Macaroni and Cheese recipe. There's nothing fancy about it, even though for a quick moment I considered using an 'upscale' cheese. The thought was quickly dismissed. Don't get me wrong I love a fancy mac 'n' cheese. But sometimes I crave simple satisfaction. This is a mac 'n' cheese my mother would make; homey, comforting and totally unpretentious. The kind your kids will love and ask for seconds. And then beg you to make again.
I want to pass on a secret for making the best mac 'n' cheese; courtesy of my Mom. Instead of mixing the pasta into the cheese sauce she pours it over top of the pasta right in the pan. I don't know the science behind it but I can say firsthand that it works for producing an extra creamy pasta sauce. I really love a good, extra sharp cheddar for this. Freshly shredded please, not bagged, because it doesn't melt as smooth or as creamy.
Macaroni & Cheese
(adapted from Betty Crocker)
8 ounces uncooked Elbow Pasta
1/4 cup Butter + 1 tablespoon
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
3/4 teaspoon Sea or Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestshire Sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
2 + 1/2 cup Milk
3 cups Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 cup set aside for topping (12 ounces)
1/3 cup Cornflake crumbs
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2-quart or 8x8-inch casserole pan.
2. Cook and drain elbows to al dente according to package directions. Pour into casserole pan and toss with a tablespoon of butter.
3. Meanwhile in a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat; whisk in flour, salt, pepper, both mustards, and Worcestershire. Cook over low heat, whisking
constantly until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Slowly whisk in milk and heat to boiling whisking continuously. Boil for one minute and stir in cheese. Stir
until all the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
4. Pour evenly over the top of the elbows. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese set aside, and then with the crumbs.
5. Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
I'm sending this to Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Italian Mama Chef this week.
Don't forget to enter my Side Dish Showdown!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
68 comments:
Man, I want real mac and cheese wicked bad. My girlfriend won't eat it, she only likes the box crap. I bet that's wicked good. Do you know if it freezes well?
I grew up on the boxed variety of mac and cheese which I always liked but I fell in love with mac and cheese the first time I had the home made variety. I learned how to make it with velveeta though, I'll have to try it your way next time.
This looks delicious! There is nothing better then a good Macaroni and Cheese... I had one myself tonight, although quite different (and well... a little disappointing I might add) from yours.
I love how it's not upscale - how my Midwestern family would eat it - the mustard and Worcestershire sauce and baking it all together. Which is to say, I love it. And will make it. Freshly shredded Cheddar and all!
You had me at "cheese". It looks so comforting! I don't have a mac and cheese recipe, so I appreciate the straight forward approach! Thanks!
Mac n Cheese is just the ultimate comfort food. This looks incredible! Thanks for the tips from your mother too! Roz
This sounds perfect Reeni! There's nothing better than classic homemade mac & cheese!
xxoo
Heather
My husband loves mac and cheese so I'm sure we'll be making this one! It looks so good!
Hugs and scritches to Moon!
We love Mac 'N Cheese, and to answer Bob's question, yes it freezes well. When I make it, I make a big batch and put it in 2 9 x 9 pans. I freeze one and cook one. The frozen one tastes just as good when I take it out and cook it a week or two later.
My mom always baked hers too. I pour my sauce over the pasta, didn't know that made a difference. I've never used mustards or Worcestershire sauce in mac n cheese. Red, my youngest, so loves mac n cheese, I have to make your recipe for him. I know he's gonna love it!
Hey, I bet if I made it, it would come with a kitty cat lying on the table too.
I've had a huge mac and cheese craving lately..this is not helping, LOL.
I'm with you all the way on grating your own cheese. That bagged cheese gets no love from me!
This looks like some gorgeous macaroni. Love the addition of the mustard powder and the tip from your mom.
The evening is complete with a bowl of homemade mac n cheese! Looks delish.
Does bag cheese really not melt as well as shred-yourself cheese?
You saved me some right???? hehehe... ;-)
First time here .Lovely blog .Do drop by
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I hope you had prepared more than just that bowl! I could have eaten at least two of them! The picture with dear Moon at the background is the best!
My kids love macaroni and cheese. It is a staple in our home. This recipe certainly sounds easy enough. Thank you for sharing it.
SOmetimes I really wish I were five again. This is one of those times. My mom made the best homemade mac and cheese. It was the ultimate treat in our house. This sounds amazing!
we also had mac n' cheese today. what a coincidence..
I simply have to make some mac and cheese soon. I've been craving it like crazy and this version looks delicious!
Oh wow, this truely melting me away! Love this mac & cheese real bad. Yummm....
OMG, this looks delicious. I've been wanting to make a good mac 'n cheese dish lately, so finding this one is well timed! Thanks for sharing! Also, I like the picture with the kitty in the background!
Oh Reeni, this is definitely my kind of comfort food! Looks so creamy and yummy.
Maria
x
It sounds and looks so yummy. I like the dijon mustard addition. I'll have to try it.
I've made this same version and love it! The Betty Crocker mac and cheese is a great one!
Oh how I love mac and cheese and yours is bringing on a craving. Love the pics, exspecially the one with the kitty in the back ground!
I just made a new mac and cheese last week...I'll post sometime this week I'm sure:) Yours looks really, really cheesy and good!
Love the new header at top!
I love the sounds of this and especially the addition of Worchesershire sauce and mustard - they add that bit of umph which is so good!
It's always good to go back to the tried and tested recipes. This mac and cheese looks fab, because you made it so well!
Yum, I love a rich and creamy mac and cheese. Canadian cheddar is good and sharp.
Do I get a kitty with mine? :)
Yum nothing like good mac and cheese. Mom's secret sounds great thanks for sharing it. The corn chips must add a crunchy texture that goes well with the cramy cheese?
What great looking mac n cheese, there something to be said for simplicity :)
I am not a fan of these,but from ur pic it doesn't look sticky at all,that means i can try it,thanx for sharing...
I love the photo with your cat. My cats loved cheese and as soon as they heard you cutting it, they would be trying to climb up the cupboard doors!
yes! i love mac and cheese, this looks awesome. and great tip! i love that last pic with your kitty, cute!
Oooh, there is nothing more comforthing or homey than mac & cheese! This looks sooooo good...really divine with that cornflake crumb topping!
Love the last photo with the cat in the background! Very nifty pic.
I've been making mac and cheese about once a week this winter. It's economical and the kids LOVE it. I like the idea of tossing the pasta with a little butter first. I'm going to try that one.
yay for the classic mac n cheese! moon is so cute in the picture. makes me want to have a kitchen cat of my own...! love the new blog header! :)
I definitely crave simple satisfaction sometimes too when it comes to mac and cheese. It's fun to play around with upscale cheeses at times, but nothing beats cheddar. This sounds like a great version with the worcestershire and dijon mustard.
I love mac n cheese, and yours look really fab! I'm going to try out your mum's secret technique next time, thanks for sharing :)
Oh home made mac and cheese is always good! This one looks so great. Yum!
This is comfort food for many but I never have enough of it to get hooked!
This looks delicious-it is making me want some now.
A classic--it looks homey and delicious! ;-)
I always seem to find luscious food bloggers just before lunchtime ;)
there is no way to ever get enough of this wonderful comfort food and now I am craving it after your awesome picture~
The photos are fantastic!
A classical recipe that never disappoints...really I can eat mac and cheese like this one, everyday!
Have a great week,
Gera
I love your addition of cornflake crumbs on top, my daughter would really appreciate that!
I sometimes toss bacon bits into my mac and cheese.
i love that moon is just hanging out :) It looks great!
This is the next contender in the Pond macaroni wars.
Just how we make Mac n Cheese. Nothing fancy, just good eats.
Mimi
This looks soooooo good! I just made mac and cheese w/ some ham and asparagus last night, but I made it "healthy" by adding squash. My hubby would have much preferred your version :)
I love homemade mac and cheese. Thanks for the great tip! Love the corn flakes crumbled on the top.
Dear Reeni, Mac and Cheese! Always a favorite. There really is nothing better than the real thing! Blessings to you, Catherine
this looks so good! I have never cooked mac n cheese in my kitchen, can you believe it?! my hubs hates it =(
I am almost thankful my son is not a mac n cheese eater because 1st I would make this and all the different variations of it, fancy or simple, the sit back and watch the pounds creep up!
Looks great girl.
I've made your chili and cheddar dumplings twice and the family loves it and now I see what's next on my Cinnamon Spice cooking list - this fantastic mac & cheese! I love the Worcester and the mustard in it and how brilliant is cornflake crumbs? And mine has never looked this appetizing! Fantastic dish, Reeni!
I have everything I need to make Mac and Cheese this weekend. ....Thanks for your mum's tip!
Homemade mac&cheese is the best and your version looks so creamy and comforting - yum!
Mmmmmm mac and cheese :) My mom makes the best...haha. Who doesn't think that about their moms cooking? I have never made a mac and cheese with a cheese sauce but I should give it a try. I know my mom just always layers shredded cheese, cooked pasta and little milk. It's really cheesy but not really creamy. I gotta try this recipe and see how it compares...I have a feeling I will love it!
This looks good. My boys just can't get past the crunchy topping from baked mac n cheese to give it another try. Sigh, they prefer the boxed stuff. I am going to have to try a homemade cheese sauce. thanks for submitting this to PPN. I can't wait for tomorrow's post. It's full of delicious recipes.
One can never have too many Mac 'n cheese options. Thanks so much for sharing yours with Presto Pasta Nights.
Next week PPN turns THREE! I do hope you plan on joining the celebration with another one of your pasta delights. Moon Cat is invited too, of course.
Nice header.
Your pussy cat looks very interested on your delicious macaroni cheese.
Fabulous pictures x
I just made this for dinner & served it with Ham and Zucchini - it was wonderful! Everyone had second helpings! Thank you for the great recipe!
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