Jill Can Cook: Macaroni & Cheese; Take 2

Back when I first started this blog, one recipe that I couldn't wait to try for you guys was this recipe for Macaroni & Cheese. If you can believe it, I haven't made mac & cheese from scratch since. Mainly because... I don't know... I don't mind the boxed version and it's a lot easier to make that kind, I guess.

Anyway, I decided this past week to remake it. Well, to make a different recipe since that first go 'round didn't really entice me all that much (cold or not). I settled on the one below and I think I made a good choice. Check it out!

Macaroni & Cheese; Take 2!

Adapted from That Which Nourishes

Ingredients:

I finally started using sea salt!!

 

• 1/2 lb. pasta
• 1/4 c. butter (1/2 stick)
• 1/4 c. flour
• 2 c. milk
• 3 c. sharp or white Cheddar
• 1/2 T. salt
• 1/2 T. pepper
• 2 tsp. onion powder (not pictured)
• 1. T. butter
• 1/4 c. panko bread crumbs

 Directions:

1. Boil pasta in water salted with a teaspoon or so of salt until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Sprinkle in flour and whisk together for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add in salt and pepper.  
4. Slowly pour in milk, whisking as you go, until smooth.  Keep whisking until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens considerably.  Remove from heat.
5. Grease a 9×13″ dish with butter and add the cooked pasta to the dish.
6. Over the top of the pasta sprinkle shredded cheese
7. Pour the cream sauce over the top of the cheese and pasta and let it sit a couple minutes to begin to melt the cheese.
8. Then, stir entire thing together. Set aside.
9. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add in panko bread crumbs.  Stir constantly until golden brown.  Sprinkle over the pasta and cheese.
10. Bake in a 325 degree preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.

This recipe was super easy. In fact, it was probably easier than last time, although I probably had just as many dirty dishes this time around. Oh well, Joe enjoyed washing them for me when we were done eating. Yay for husbands!

The making of the roux.  I didn't feel like using a whisk. A fork works just as well, fortunately.

The noodles relaxing in the baking dish before they become my dinner

I wouldn't quite call this part a mistake, but more a matter of preference. I thought that I'd be cool and opted for these super squiggly noodles (cavatappi or something?). They were awesome as far as everyone besides Mitchell was concerned. The noodles were too big for him to eat in one mouthful so I had to cut all his in half. What a pain. I think I'll go back to regular elbows or maybe wagon wheels or something next time to save the hassle. But all this to say: Get funky with your noodles people! It can really freshen up an old dish!

Back to your regularly programmed blog post:

I threw a good amount of cheese on top. Joe and Quinn stole some out of the bag as they walked by. Sillies.

The sauce part melting the cheese a bit.

Joe had come home in the middle of this and asked if he could help. I asked him to stir this part for me so I could brown the breadcrumbs. The guy must have a lot on his mind because he forgot. He was extremely apologetic over it, but I still feel the need to shame him online for the world (I think there's 4 of you that read this blog now! Woo hoo!!) to see. So there. Bad husband. Do not do again! (-; Hahaha

Ohh, I'm so busy ragging on my husband that I almost forgot something!! When I got to this part, I added in some onion powder. I remembered from last time that I wanted more flavor. So, I probably added in like 2 tsp maybe? I didn't measure. I just shook the bottle over the top and mixed it in.

These took forever to brown but it was so worth it!!!

Quinn kept coming by to steal some more cheese and to inspect what I was making to make sure it was up to her picky standards!

And off in the oven it went.. 

Look at this melty cheese deliciousness!

For once, I actually have magazine quality pictures of my food!

Quinn was really excited to try it out which was surprising. I was amazed that her favorite part was the crunchy topping. She's really branching out in the food eating department.

I've decided other bloggers put up a ton of shots of their food so maybe I should, too.

Joe was quite impressed. He remembered liking my first try at macaroni and cheese and he liked this one as well. He especially liked the browned panko topping. I actually think I like it that way more than the Ritz cracker topping.

Mitchell took a bit of coaxing to get some of this in his tummy (and I had to cut his up), but he ended up liking it, too. He's getting a little fussier as time goes on about food. I'm hoping it's something to do with the "terrible twos" and not a new personality trait.

As for me, I loved it. I am really glad for how it turned out. I'm not planning on making it any time soon considering it's probably super fattening and not very good for your arteries. It might be one of those recipes I take out for special occasions.

Ohh and I had enough leftover for everyone to have leftovers the next day and it reheated beautifully!

A++ The first recipe I haven't royally screwed up on here, I think. Hahah