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MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Mom's Favorite Baked Mac and Cheese image

This is a macaroni and cheese I first made 3 years ago when I was in California. When I got back to Texas I made it for my mom. This is now her favorite baked macaroni and cheese. She begs me to make it when I come to visit.

Provided by GEPETTO_69

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into strips

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 100.1 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 1194 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Macaroni and Cheese image

Categories Pasta Side Bake Kid-Friendly Cheddar Gourmet Small Plates

Yield Makes 6 (main course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3/4 pound elbow macaroni
For topping
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups panko* (Japanese bread crumbs) or coarse dry bread crumbs
1 cup coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar (about 4 ounces)
For cheese sauce
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
2 3/4 cups whole milk
3/4 cups heavy cream
4 cups coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar (about 1 pound)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F. and butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Fill a 6-quart kettle three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for macaroni.
Make topping:
Melt butter and in a bowl stir together with panko or regular bread crumbs and Cheddar until combined well. Topping may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
Make sauce:
In a 5-quart heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat and stir in flour and red pepper flakes. Cook roux, stirring, 3 minutes and whisk in milk. Bring sauce to a boil, whisking constantly, and simmer, whisking occasionally, 3 minutes. Stir in cream, Cheddar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Remove pan from heat and cover surface of sauce with wax paper.
Cook macaroni in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain macaroni in colander. In a large bowl stir together macaroni, reserved cooking water, and sauce. Transfer mixture to baking dish.
Sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni and bake in middle of oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
*Available at Asian markets and some specialty food shops and supermarkets and by mail order from Uwajimaya, (800) 889-1928.