Real Mac & Cheese

Heat oven to 350°

Grate 5 cups of cheddar cheese and set aside.

(If you use sharp cheddar you can use 4 cups instead)

Make a Roux:

In a large, heavy frying pan melt together:

• 1/2 cube of butter
• 3 Tbs canola or olive oil

Be careful not to use high heat or you’ll burn the butter.

Once it has melted and warmed add:

• 1/2 cup flour

Use a wire whip to break up and separate the flour lumps. Stir constantly.

The flour needs to cook in the butter and oil without burning. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat.

At this point you have made a Roux. A Roux can be used as a thickener in gravies and sauces.

In a separate pan:

Sauté 1 large finely diced onion in 2 Tbs. butter. (look here if you haven't sliced up an onion before)

Stir the sautéed onion into the roux.

Put hot roux/onion mix on medium heat and add:

• 4 cups (1 quart) milk – (chicken broth may be used instead of milk)

Stir vigorously with wire whip to break up flour lumps.

The sauce will begin to thicken in about 8-10 minutes. 

Keep stirring with the whip, making sure to stir all the way to the bottom of the pan.

Once it thickens you can add:

5 cups of grated cheddar cheese. 

Stir as you add the cheese by the handful.

Once the cheese has melted into the sauce add:

• 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic-mashed (short video on using fresh garlic)
• 1 Tbs. chicken bouillon concentrate
• 1 tsp. black pepper

Continue to stir the cheese sauce until all ingredients are mixed together.

Take off the heat and set aside.

Cook & drain noodles.  See "How to Cook Pasta"

Cook 1 1b of pasta. 

NOTE that your grocery list said 2 lbs of Elbow Macaroni.  You saved money and have a back up dinner on the pantry shelf when you bought a 2lb package.  Just cook 1 lb for this mac & cheese recipe.

Once the noodles are cooked, pour the sauce over the noodles.

If it looks like the mixture needs more moisture stir in a cup of milk.

It’s better to have extra moisture before putting the dish in the oven, because the noodles will soak up some of the cheese sauce.

Grease a 9 x13 inch pan and pour in the mac and cheese.

Option: Top with 1 cup of breadcrumbs – see "Homemade Breadcrumbs"

You can also add: chopped ham or chicken, steamed broccoli or braised greens...or crab or shrimp or tuna.

To make it extra rich for a gathering of friends add: 1 cup of sour cream before baking.  It will make it much richer.   This makes it party food but is not necessary for a regular dinner.

Bake 40 minutes at 350°.

Back to BHC Cooking