How to Make Macaroni and Cheese

By eHow Food & Drink Editor

Rate: (63 Ratings)

Homemade macaroni and cheese is an American classic and a true delight. It's also easy to make - forget that stuff in the blue box! This recipe serves about four.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Groceries
  • Baking Dishes
  • Cheese Graters
  • Colanders
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Saucepans
  • Stockpots
  • Wooden Spoons
  • 1/2 pound penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 tbsp. minced fresh onion
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1 1/2 tbsps flour
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs

Step1
Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step2
Use a Stockpot and boil the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until tender. Drain and reserve.
Step3
Meanwhile, melt 1/3 cup of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion. Cook for two minutes.
Step4
Add the white pepper and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for three to four minutes. Don't let the flour brown; lower the heat if it does.
Step5
Add the mustard and milk and bring to a simmer.
Step6
Simmer for 10-15 minutes. The sauce will thicken. It should be very thick but not gluey. Add more milk if it thickens too much.
Step7
Once the sauce has simmered for at least 10 minutes, add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses and half the parmesan.
Step8
Shut off heat and stir them in. Stir the cheeses in as they melt. Return the pan to low heat if necessary.
Step9
Working quickly, toss the pasta in the cheese sauce. Toss it well so the sauce gets inside the pasta tubes.
Step10
Place the pasta in an 11- by 14-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.
Step11
Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top.
Step12
Melt the remaining butter, stir it into the breadcrumbs and sprinkle this mixture over the top of the pasta.
Step13
Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden and toasted.

Tips & Warnings

  • Try experimenting with a variety of cheeses. Just about any meltable cheese will work. Some recipes call for all cheddar cheese, others use varieties like asiago, romano and gorgonzola.
  • You can use any small pasta shape that has holes for holding sauce, like ziti, pinwheels, or elbow macaroni.
  • You can also add cooked vegetables to your macaroni and cheese: mushrooms, broccoli florets, and peas are all possibilities.
  • To make your own bread crumbs (much tastier than the kind you get in a can), cut the crusts off a slice or two of white bread and process in the food processor until fine. Voilà.

Comments

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enitsuj said

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on 4/4/2008 dudez com'on! that's no dinner, grille some steak especially for me and mah fellow weight lifter, but still its cool though to eat steak with your mac cheese, if you have problems about the steak ask me hustlheer30@yahoo

enitsuj said

Flag This Comment

on 4/4/2008 dudez com'on! that's no dinner, grille some steak especially for me and mah fellow weight lifter, but still its cool though to eat steak with your mac cheese, if you have problems about the steak ask me hustlheer30@yahoo

enitsuj said

Flag This Comment

on 4/4/2008 dudez com'on! that's no dinner, grille some steak especially for me and mah fellow weight lifter, but still its cool though to eat steak with your mac cheese, if you have problems about the steak ask me hustlheer30@yahoo

enitsuj said

Flag This Comment

on 4/4/2008 dudez com'on! that's no dinner, grille some steak especially for me and mah fellow weight lifter, but still its cool though to eat steak with your mac cheese, if you have problems about the steak ask me hustlheer30@yahoo

stikfig said

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on 9/29/2006 I like to add pepper as well. Also you can go old skool with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I know it pails in comparison to homemade, but I must admit it's a guilty pleasure.

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eHow Article:  How to Make Macaroni and Cheese

eHow Food & Drink Editor

eHow Food & Drink Editor

Category: Food & Drink

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