I remember being at my Grandma Steffens' house when I was about 6 or 7 and she asked what I wanted for lunch. Macaroni and Cheese. It was the only thing I would eat when I was younger. It was an obsession. A problem. The only macaroni and cheese I would eat came from a blue box. In fact, at least once a week you can bet that I'm still treating myself to a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
On that day at my Grandma's house I can remember her pulling a casserole dish out of the oven and putting it on the table. The top had a layer of bubbling cheese. I was terrified. What was is? Doesn't she know that Macaroni and Cheese is cooked in a saucepan, not a casserole dish? Where was the powdered yellow-orange cheese?!
I'm not suggesting you should make this Baked Mac and Cheese recipe for your very picky 6-year-old, but I guarantee will be a big hit with anyone over the age 12. Or 18, maybe. If you really want to go for it... try my Lobster Mac and Cheese - great for Valentine's Day... Would be great with a Pan-Seared Filet Mignon!
beyond the blue box
1 pound of macaroni
sea salt
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of flour
4 cups of milk
12 ounces of cheddar, shredded
8 ounces of havarti cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper
4 slices of bread, for crumbs
In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter on medium low heat. Stir in flour. Cook butter and flour for 1 minute, while stirring. Whisk in milk. Cook over heat while whisking, until smooth. Cook for 5 minutes on medium until thickened and bubbly. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
Add shredded cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with cracked pepper. Set aside.
Cook pasta until almost done - making sure it is not completely cooked. Strain the pasta. Add pasta into the cheese sauce and stir to coat the pasta. Pour into a baking dish.
To make breadcrumbs, pulse bread in a food processor until it is in fine crumbs. In a small skillet, melt remaining two tablespoons of butter, add the bread crumbs and cook over medium heat until they have toasted. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the top of the macaroni. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly.
i'm so glad you posted this. just this morning i was begging the cashier at trader joe's to call his mother and request her mac & cheese recipe that he claimed is the best EVER. i've been on a quest for the last several years to find the perfect mac & cheese recipe. i've made good ones, but nothing great. i feel it is one of those staple recipes that every cook should have on hand. the perfect comfort food for taking to friends post baby or preschool party potlucks. your recipe will be the next in my queue!! tessa
ReplyDeleteThe recipe looks delicious! But we have the "blue box issues" around here too, and even after trying Ina's recipe, my kids still want the blue box. On the other hand, my husband wants his late grandmother's mac and cheese ...which I have yet to be able to recreate. I'll try yours with elbow macaroni to see how it compares to his memory. Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to be done with my 30 days of veganism so that I can start eating cheese again... this might be the first thing I make to celebrate completing the 30 days of vegan diet :)
ReplyDeleteI am always trying to perfect my homemade Mac 'n cheese recipe, so I was very excited to see that YOU posted a recipe. I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your blog- your tastes are impeccable. I have made quite a few of your recipes- I love how simple and delicious they are.
Many blessings to you and your new family!
Erin
www.erinandreweverafter.com
How many servings does this make?
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your wonderful blog via Pinterest, I LOVE IT!! THANK YOU.
ReplyDelete