Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Easy Mac and Cheese

I grew up on baked macaroni and cheese and wasn't privy to the wonders of stove-top mac and cheese for the first several years of my childhood.  While I appreciate my mom's casserole wonder, this is a tough recipe to beat.  It's quick, it's insanely creamy and cheesy, and you dirty ONE pan.  In our house with no dishwasher, that's a big deal (ok you dirty a colander too...sorry).
I prefer it with a few dashes of Red Rooster hot sauce.

(adapted from Cooking Light, May 2007)
1 1/4 cups uncooked macaroni
1 cup 1% milk
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese - the recipe calls for reduced fat, but I only believe in full-fat cheese
1/2 tsp salt
a few grinds of a pepper mill

Cook pasta in a medium saucepan according to package directions.  
Transfer to a colander.
In the same saucepan, combine the milk and flour over medium heat, stirring with a whisk. 
Cook, stirring constantly until thickened (about 2 minutes).
Add cheese, salt, and pepper, and continue whisking until all the cheese is melted.
Turn off heat, stir in the pasta, and let sit for a few minutes before serving.


10 comments:

That Girl said...

This is so funny because I want to make mac and cheese this week! And I feel the same way about full fat cheese.

Snooky doodle said...

yummy !! not that good for my diet though :(

Steph said...

I have no dishwasher either and we love anythign that minimizes a mess. I admit, other than KD, I've never had mac and cheese. Actually, maybe because I've only had KD is why I've never had it.. hahah. Yours looks great!

Anonymous said...

Stove top mac and cheese is the best! So creamy and delicious!

Kira said...

I feel you on full-fat cheese. It's just one of those things that if you're going to do it, you're going to do it. Unless you're eating mac & cheese every night, there's no need for reduced-fat cheese. It's a heresy. :-)

Macaroni and Cheesecake said...

Looks yummy! Love that it's somewhat healthier for you!

~Amber~ said...

It looks delicious, and so creamy too.

Brooke said...

Oooh, I need to try this. I can never seem to make a creamy homemade mac and cheese but this looks perfect!

Anonymous said...

That's okay--it has all the same ingredients except flour instead of buttered cracker crumbs.

Liz said...

I just made this-- it was so easy! Thanks!