The BEST Macaroni and Cheese

We love Mac & Cheese in our house.  In fact, Jack and Will would eat it for every meal if I let them!  This weekend, I made up a big casserole of Mac & Cheese to have with leftover BBQ chicken and we have enjoyed it for lunch this week and for dinner tonight as well. 

This gift came from my sister-in-law Blythe, and it is fantastic!  My boys literally cheer when I tell them that we are having Aunt Blythe's Mac & Cheese.  Truly, the BEST Mac & Cheese EVER!!  It is really so easy to make.  It might sound like alot of trouble, but you just add a few ingredients and whisk.  Add a few more and whisk some more.  You have to give this recipe a try and then give your thanks to Blythe!

Aunt Blythe's Macaroni & Cheese

serves 8 as a main dish, 12-14 as a side

Cheese Sauce and Macaroni:

• 3 T butter
• 3 T all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 3/4 c whole milk
• 3/4 c heavy cream
• 4 c grated extra sharp cheddar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 lb elbow macaroni
• 1 c pasta cooking water or chicken broth

Topping:

• 1/4 stick (2 T) butter, melted
• 2 c panko crumbs
• 1 c grated extra sharp cheddar

Preheat oven to 400.  Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.

Cook macaroni until al dente.  Reserve 1 c pasta cooking water (I use 1 c chicken broth instead) & drain macaroni.

Melt 3 T butter in 5 quart heavy pot over moderately low heat.  Whisk in flour and red pepper flakes and cook, whisking, for 3 minutes to make a roux.  Whisk in milk in a slow stream, then bring sauce to a boil, whisking constantly.  Simmer, whisking occasionally, for 3 minutes.  Stir in cream, cheddar cheese, mustard, salt and pepper.

Stir together macaroni, reserved water (chicken broth), and sauce, then transfer to baking dish.  Mixture will be loose.

Stir together 2 T melted butter, panko crumbs, and cheese in bowl until well combined.  Sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni.   Bake until top is golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.


This recipe makes ALOT of mac & cheese.  I'm not complaining because we have been enjoying it all week.  However, I love to have meals in the freezer for those busy days, so the next time I make this recipe, I am going to split it into 2 8x8 casserole dishes.  I'll wait and add the topping to the frozen one right before I bake it so the panko crumbs will be crunchy.