Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Superior Macaroni and Cheese


Superior Macaroni and Cheese
There are certain recipes you will always find a million versions of, everyone's got their own kind. This applies to (for example) chocolate chip cookies, chocolate lava cakes, spaghetti and meatballs, and macaroni and cheese. For a recipe-o-phile like me, this means you end up with a looot of different recipes, for one thing (don't even get me started on how many chocolate chip cookie recipes I have). The hope is, once I try them out, I will be able to narrow it down to one recipe (or...at least less). After the first time I made this macaroni and cheese, I deleted all other mac'n'cheese recipes, and no longer even look at others. It is unnecessary. I know I will not like anything more than I like this. I am in a monogamous mac'n'cheese relationship, and I have no desire to cheat. It is a "healthy" (ish) version, it is full of flavor, is thick and creamy, and makes you happy!


Baked Macaroni and Cheese

adapted from myrecipes

Superior Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
  • About 2 cups (uncooked) elbow macaroni (to make it more wholesome, I use elbow macaroni that is multigrain, like "Barilla PLUS")
  • 2 cups milk (I use skim-specifically "Skim Plus")
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon onion salt (and if you are me, maybe a dash of garlic powder for flavor)
  • 20 ounces (about 4 1/2 cups) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (also, if you are ever a little short, feel free to use some other cheeses. This is the kind of recipe you can definitely play around with. I have used grated Parmesan cheese on a couple occasions where I was about 1/2 cup short on Cheddar, and it always tastes fabulous)
  • Optional: 1-2 pieces of whole wheat bread (for breadcrumbs), and 1-2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Preparation:
  • Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain well. Set aside.
  • Place milk, flour, and onion salt in a quart jar (or any container/bowl with a lid), cover tightly, and shake well for about 1 minute.
  • Stir together flour mixture, 3 1/2 cups cheese, and cooked macaroni.
  • Pour macaroni mixture into a lightly greased (non-stick cooking spray) 9 x 13 inch baking dish. (OR into ramekins) Top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
  • Optional: tear apart the bread into little breadcrumb pieces, and sprinkle evenly over baking dish. You can then pour melted butter over this, or spritz lightly with cooking spray, or not put anything on top of it. Your call.
  • Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
Superior Macaroni and Cheese
Then eat yourself into a coma. Seriously, look at that. It's amazing. You must have some.


(I am in no way affiliated with Barilla or Skim Plus, I am just sharing what has worked for me, you may now go back to your regularly scheduled programming)


Superior Macaroni and Cheese
UPDATE: You can also bake these in ramekins. They are perfectly small portioned and super yummy!

Come join Mac and Cheese Mania at Rachel Cooks andNutmeg Nanny sponsored by Door to Door Organics and OXO – Win prizes
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I love it when you try & want to share recipes you found here! Please just rewrite in your own words, use your own photos, & always link back to me! Thanks!

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