Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe for my family’s favorite Macaroni and Cheese has been pared down to keep it simple. Sprinkle the top with a bit of grated Parmesan or Gruyere and bake until golden brown and gooey. I make it in a big 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and leftovers are hard to come by.

Macaroni and Cheese baked in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish nestled in a basket.

“THE” Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This week my daughter started a new summer job in a town several hours from home. She left life in the big city for an internship in a port town on the Olympic Peninsula. She moved out of the dorms at college and into a house where she is responsible for preparing her own meals. It is a new experience for her and it has her thinking.

So last evening she called me, a little put out. My daughter wanted to know where the heck “THE” Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is on my blog. This familiar comfort food is something she always asks for when she comes home. I make it in a big 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and there are seldom enough leftovers for a second meal. Everyone in the family digs in.

Macaroni and Cheese in a 9x13-inch glass casserole just before baking.

Returning to those Family Favorites

While I have been meaning to post the recipe for a long time now I never managed to get any suitable pictures of our Macaroni and Cheese until I made it when my daughter was home last week. The recipe is really nothing complicated. It is based on one I found in my old Betty Crocker’s Cookbook long ago. Over time I adapted the quantities and marginally reduced the fat. I also took out the finely chopped onion because my children don’t love onions and chopping them got in the way of throwing the recipe together at times.

For the cheese, I use Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar. It is my family’s favorite. That said, a medium cheddar can be used for the sake of economy. Alternately, you could use any other kind of cheese that melts nicely. Then I leave it in the oven a little extra long, until the top begins to brown and the edges get a little crispy. I think it adds a pleasing character to this humble side dish.

I have to say, it warms my heart that my children care about this simple, modest meal. As their own lives take them on far flung adventures to new places and new experiences I hope the family favorites posted at My Own Sweet Thyme will continue to offer them a little taste of home.

Macaroni and Cheese

Course: Main Dish, Pasta/Rice/Grains, SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

25

minutes
Baking time

35

minutes
Total time

1

hour 

This family favorite recipe has been pared down to keep it simple. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan or Gruyere and bake until golden brown and gooey.

Ingredients

  • 12 – 16 ounces elbow macaroni

  • 1/4 cup butter

  • 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons flour

  • 2 3/4 cup milk

  • 1 pound cheddar cheese, grated

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

  • Dash of ground red pepper or Tabasco (optional)

  • Garnish – grated Parmesan or Gruyere

Directions

  • Cook pasta, according to package directions, until tender but still firm. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour. Return and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat.
  • Add the milk to the butter mixture, whisking until smooth. Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat.
  • Stir the cheese into the hot sauce along with the pepper, garlic powder and Tabasco (if desired), blending until smooth.
  • Place cooked macaroni in a large rectangular casserole dish (approximately 9 X 13 inches). Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and gently stir until combined. Sprinkle the top with a little parmesan, gruyere or cheddar, if desired.
  • Bake at 375F for 30 minutes or until the top begins to brown.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Recipe Source: Adapted from a recipe in our old copy of Betty Crocker’s Cookbook.

12 Comments

  1. It is rather interesting for me to read the article. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

  2. Allison Jones

    Oh, I love that baking pan basket thing. Like a little nest!

  3. Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe

    That looks delish~
    Comfort food is what it's all about!

  4. I'm not surprised that your daughter would want this recipe. I wish her all the best, an exciting time for sure!

  5. Valerie Harrison (bellini)

    The comfort foods of home is what they will remember. I was tickled that my daughter reads my blog for recipes too:D

  6. the southern hostess

    This looks fantastic! I'm always on the hunt for the perfect mac and cheese recipe.

  7. thanks for sharing a family recipe, especially one for mac and cheese! it has to be the ultimate comfort food, right? i love your version. 🙂

  8. Robin Sue

    This looks very good! That is very nice that your daughter goes to your blog looking for certain recipes. She will be learning how to cook very quicly now that she is on her own. Looks like she is in a very pretty place- love that area of our country!

  9. My girls call me all the time asking for recipes, or how did I make this dish. I absolutely love it! Wishing you both the best in the new chapter in your lives.

  10. I've been getting the same kind of calls from my college daughter as she tries to duplicate some of her favorite meals!

  11. You make it just the way we like it, Lisa. My kids check my blog for recipes too. I love it!

    Best wishes to your daughter in her new adventure.

  12. theUngourmet

    Your Mac and Cheese is a work of art! We aren't big onion fans over here either so I would leave them out too!

    I hope things go really well for your daughter as she ventures into this new chapter of her life. :0)

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