Saturday, October 10, 2009

Easy Macaroni and Cheese

I woke up to snow on the ground this morning. October 10th and snow!! This is going to be one LONG winter.

As the weather cools off and the leaves change colors and fall to the ground, it makes me drawn to warm stews, casseroles, crock pot meals-foods that cook and simmer for an hour or more. It makes me feel warmer and it makes our house smell yummy with the aroma of dinner permeating the air.

I enjoy macaroni and cheese, made from scratch. I don't remember the last time I bought a box of mac and cheese at the store because I have found so many good from scratch recipes for it. Granted if you want dinner ready in 10-15 minutes you're out of luck, but if you want a hot, delicious casserole that's cheesy and filling, try this recipe. You won't be disappointed.

Easy Macaroni and Cheese From Midwest Living

1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cup dried elbow macaroni
1 cup cubed cooked ham (optional, but delicious)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese or cubed American cheese (8 oz)
3 T flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground pepper
4 cups milk

In a 2 to 3 quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Pour 2 T of the butter into a 2 to 2 1/2 qt casserole or baking dish. Add dried macaroni; stir to coat with butter. Add ham if you like. Stir in cheese.

For sauce: Stir flour, salt and black pepper into the remaining 2 T butter in saucepan. Stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly (mine didn't thicken up too much, but it turned out great anyway). Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Pour sauce over macaroni mixture.

Bake, covered, in a 325 degree oven 1 hour or until macaroni is tender and coated with sauce. Stir, let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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