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The Best Ever Homemade Mac and Cheese

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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

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

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta 1 min shy of al dente, according to instructions on package.
  2. When pasta is cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease the inside of baking dish.
  4. In stockpot or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
  5. Whisk in flour and continue whisking until roux is bubbly and golden.
  6. Slowly whisk in half and half until smooth.
  7. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface.
  8. Whisk in salt and pepper
  9. Add 2 cups of cheese and whisk until smooth.
  10. Add another 2 cups of cheese and continue whisking until smooth. Sauce should be thick.
  11. Remove from heat.
  12. Add pasta into sauce and stir until fully coated.
  13. Pour half of pasta into baking dish.
  14. Pour remaining 2 cups of cheese on top of pasta in baking dish.
  15. Top with remaining half of pasta.
  16. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and melted butter.
  17. Sprinkle breadcrumb topping over mac and cheese in baking dish.
  18. Bake for 30 mins until bubbly and golden brown.
  19. 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.