Recipe: Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

So, I think I mentioned last week that I prepared everything for Easter lunch at Moms. She was pretty busy that morning so I offered because it would give us a little more time with Mike's family. I feel like we always throw them on the back burner a little and spend a little more time with my family on holidays, so this time I wanted to make it a little more fair.

I told Mom I would make baked macaroni and cheese, but truthfully, I don't really make macaroni. haha. We have ben staying away because it's not exactly healthy, plus if we do make some mac and cheese it's usually Velveeta or something boxed. Our favorite is actually Stouffers.....yum!!

But, I went on the search for something creamy and found this recipe. It was delicious. I would make some changes for the next time, but I'll highlight them at the end.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

(serves 8)

Ummm, we ate it pretty quickly, so I forgot to get the after baked pic. haha.

INGREDIENTS:

1 16 oz. package of macaroni

8 tbsp butter

8 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

2 cups heavy cream

salt to taste

ground pepper to taste

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (suggestion below recipe)

1 cup breadcrumbs (or you could use crumbled crunchy onions)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400º. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray.

Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions.

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add salt and pepper to flour and add mixture gradually while whisking. Whisk until well blended. Slowly pour in milk and cream and continue to whisk. Stir constantly. Bring to a boil and continue stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes continuing to stir constantly. Add cheese little by little and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add macaroni to saucepan and coat with cheese mixture. 

Add macaroni and cheese mixture to sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs or onions. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through and top is golden brown.

Enjoy!!

Suggestions: I definitely think this would be better if you added a variety of cheeses rather than just cheddar. I honestly wish they made shredded American cheese. I know, I know.....but I think that mixed a little cheddar and some pepper jack would be divine!! I guess you could just throw some chunks in there and let it melt??

FYI: When you add the macaroni it's going to look like a TON of cheese sauce. That's ok!! When you heat it some of the macaroni will soak that up.