Macaroni and Cheese

My kids call this my FAMOUS Macaroni and Cheese.  It is a family recipe that has morphed throughout the years.  I let the kids do some measuring and stirring and lots of tasting. This is the kid friendly version.  The adult version has wine and stronger cheeses in it.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs of dried pasta
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 4 cups milk (2% or whole)
• 1 Tbsp chicken base or 3 bouillon cubes
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 7 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese (low fat or regular)
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain.
2. In a large pot, melt butter and add the flour. Stir together to make a paste and cook for 2-3 miuntes or until it starts to smell a little nutty. Add the milk and whisk together to break up any and all lumps.
3. Lower the heat to medium and continue to heat the milk until it starts to thicken, stirring often so the mixture doesn’t burn on the bottom.
4. Add the chicken base, mustard powder and nutmeg and stir to mix.
5. Add the cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and thick.
6. Add the pasta and mix until all the noodles are well coated with the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To serve: you can serve this right out of the pot, or put it into a casserole dish and top with bread crumbs and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.

For a kids party you can also put the mac – n – cheese mixture into small oven proof dishes and make individual servings.