Macaroni and Cheese

This is another great Macarioni and Cheese recipe. This is a recipe from Ina Garten.

Macaroni and Cheese

Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

I have tried a lot of macaroni recipes and this is by far the best. I made the full recipe and fed three adults and five children and we only ate half. We will be enjoying leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 pound Velveeta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
16 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked



In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard, and pepper until smooth; take off heat. Little by little stir in milk until smooth. Stir constantly for 10 minutes on heat until thick; take off heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, and mozzarella cheese until melted. Mix sauce with macaroni and pour into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle paprika and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. This recipe can be halved.