Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I recently realized that I did not have a recipe for baked macaroni and cheese. So I figured I needed to find one, because sometimes I want baked macaroni and cheese instead of stove top. I like when the edges get a little crispy and the cheese on top gets golden brown in spot.

To make this macaroni and cheese even better it uses no processed cheese, just real block cheese and it still turns out creamy and cheesy.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces elbow pasta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, stopping the cooking process 2 minutes shy of the package directions. Drain the pasta.
2. Move one oven rack to the highest position and one oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 325º F. Lightly spray a 9x9 or 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3. In a large pot, over medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
5. Slowly pour in the half and half, while whisking constantly. Continue to heat, while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
6. Add in 1/3 of both cheeses, the dry mustard, paprika and black pepper, Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
7. Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
8. In a medium bowl combine both of the remaining cheeses.
9. Transfer half of the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half of the remaining cheese. Add the remaining macaroni and cheese to the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
10. Bake for 10 minutes on the middle rack.
11. Turn on the broiler and move the baking dish to the top rack. Broil until the top is golden brown in spots.
12. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 580
Total Fat		36.2g
Saturated Fat		21.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		104.3mg
Sodium		396.2mg
Potassium		114.2mg
Total Carbohydrates		41.6g
Dietary Fiber		2.7g
Sugars		3.5g
Protein		23.1g
Vitamin A 24% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 40.9% Iron 9.6%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Simply Scratch.