BASIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat
• Once the butter has melted, whisk in flour and cook until it begins to smell nutty and fragrant, about 45-60 seconds
• Whisk in milk and stock, and continue whisking vigorously until flour and butter have dissolved
• Bring to sauce to a bubble and thicken, about 3-4 minutes
• Once sauce is thick, remove from heat and mix in mustard and cheddar cheese
• Stir until cheese is completely melted

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
• In a large saucepan melt butter.
• Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
• Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.
• Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
• Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
• Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
• Turn off flame.
• Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
• Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish.
• Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
• Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
• (You can also freeze this recipe in zip-lock bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - I generally pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling.