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The Best Ever Homemade Mac and Cheese

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Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 1 3-4 qt baking dish
  • 1 Stock pot
  • 1 Measuring Cups
  • 1 Measuring Spoons
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Mixing Spoon

Ingredients
  

Mac and Cheese

  • 16 oz macaroni noodles cooked 1 box, can also use shells, rotini etc
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 4 cups half and half
  • 6 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste

Breadcrumb Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta 1 min shy of al dente, according to instructions on package.
  • When pasta is cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease the inside of baking dish.
  • In stockpot or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour and continue whisking until roux is bubbly and golden.
  • Slowly whisk in half and half until smooth.
  • Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface.
  • Whisk in salt and pepper
  • Add 2 cups of cheese and whisk until smooth.
  • Add another 2 cups of cheese and continue whisking until smooth. Sauce should be thick.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add pasta into sauce and stir until fully coated.
  • Pour half of pasta into baking dish.
  • Pour remaining 2 cups of cheese on top of pasta in baking dish.
  • Top with remaining half of pasta.
  • In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and melted butter.
  • Sprinkle breadcrumb topping over mac and cheese in baking dish.
  • Bake for 30 mins until bubbly and golden brown.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • I use unsalted butter, but if you use salted butter, be sure to add less salt remembering that cheese is salty, too.
  • You can also use 2 cups half and half and 2 cups of milk.
  • I like to shred my own cheese from a block.  I find that it melts better.  You can also use shredded cheese, just be sure to whisk longer to get a smooth result.