Shera’s Mac and Cheese

This is a great versatile recipe that you can play with and make as basic or gourmet as you wish.  I make this for my kids often, and honestly, I just throw it all together.  Today though, I’m going to try and get it all out of my head and down here as a recipe you can use.  Keep in mind though that this serves 8.

Mom’s Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 Stick of Butter (1/2 cup)
3 Cups Milk
2 Cups  Shredded Cheese (we use cheddar, but you can be creative with this – stay away from stringy cheeses like Mozzarella though).
3 TBSP Corn Starch or 1/4 C Flour (thickener)
Macaroni Noodles (or get creative here too, shells are yummy or any other “open” pasta)

Directions:

Start water for noodles in one large pan.  In another large saucepan, melt the butter.  Mix the starch with some cold water and once the butter is melted, add it to the pan (if you are using flour instead, add that directly to the butter and get it mixed in well before adding the milk, when you add the milk, do it slowly, or warm the milk a little in the microwave or another pan first for an even smoother mixtre – use a whisk), along with the milk.  Let all of that heat up, then add the cheese.

Meanwhile, have the noodles cooking and drain as you normally would.  Often, both my noodles and my sauce will be done at the same time.  Once the noodles are drained, put them back in the pan you cooked them in (without water of course), and pour most of the cheese sauce on top of them.  Add salt to taste and pepper if you’d like too (though my children don’t care for pepper much).

As you serve the mac and cheese, pour a little cheese sauce over the top of each serving.   Serve with green beans, applesauce and french bread for a whole meal.

Variation:

For a more gourmet version of this dish, prepare the mac and cheese as instructed above, including seasoning to taste.  Pour into a 9×13 pan.  Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle a generous amound of seasoned bread crumbs on top as well (I use the italian ones).  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.