Creamy Baked Mac-n-Cheese

Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t like mac-n-cheese?  Add the creamy and baked and I’m sold every time.  This is made for a crowd and anytime I serve it there is none left over.  Kids and adults love it and can’t seem to get enough of it.  I won’t have any fake cheese in my mac-n-cheese so I took the time to find the perfect combination of cheese to get the creaminess everyone loves without the processed plastic wrapped stuff…you know what I mean 😉

 

This recipe can be made ahead and popped in the oven at the event, however, I caution you to take down the pasta to 2-2.25 lbs because I don’t know how those tiny noodles do it, but they soak up the cheese when you put it into the fridge over night, and you don’t want it to be dry or not creamy.  This recipe can be made in a large pan, large oven safe bowl (my mom always served hers this way) or in individual serving dishes.  And this recipe is pretty simple, I think the toughest part is grating all the cheese.

Creamy Baked Mac-n-Cheese

2 Cups shredded Fontina Cheese

8 oz shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

3 Cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese

5 TBSP butter

8 TBSP all purpose flour

5 Cups Milk

2 1/2 lbs macaroni noodles

salt (salt the water you cook the pasta in, and add salt to the cheese sauce as well, at least a teaspoon…taste as you go)

Start by grating all the cheese and setting it aside.  Bring a large pot of water to boil, add your pasta to cook.  While it cooks…In a medium sauce pan melt the butter than add the flour and whisk until it becomes a little crumbly, keep cooking for a minute, do not let become brown.  Over medium/low heat slowly add the milk, about a cup at a time while whisking to remove any clumps of flour.  Bring to a really low bubble.  Once all the milk is added and it’s come to a bubble, turn on low and slowly add the cheese and stir until it’s all melted.  Once the pasta is cooked, drained and put back into the pot you cooked it in and pour the cheese sauce over the pasta.  Pour into a pan or oven safe bowl to bake.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.  Enjoy!