Homemade mac and cheese

I grew up on hot dogs, frozen pizzas and boxed macaroni and cheese. Not to say that my parents never made anything homemade... because they did, but I don't think I ever knew there was such a thing as homemade macaroni and cheese. I am not sure when I discovered it, but since I have started making it for my family there is no going back. Boxed mac and cheese is not allowed in our home. Once you have tasted mac and cheese made from real cheese, milk and butter your taste buds will be forever ruined for anything processed or boxed. It just does not taste good. Now that doesn't mean that junk food never enters our home or mouths; we have just found a happy balance, but there is no compromise with mac and cheese.

Making food from scratch can often require a lot of time and effort, but I am happy to say that making homemade mac and cheese is really so simple.

If you have never made homemade mac and cheese I am now going to open your eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. Mac and cheese is the one meal I can count on my kids devouring. I probably make it at least 3x a month. It's just the best!

I had bought a couple of boxes of macaroni and was planning on taking pictures one of the times I made it to share with you. But when I went to make it we had used all the macaroni. ( I know I bought at least 3 boxes) Which proves my point on how much I make it. Luckily I had some penne noodles which work just as good. I know that there is a big no carb/ gluten free hype out there, but I am not on that bandwagon and can not live without carbs. ( my apologies to those who are gluten intolerant)

Of course there are a million recipes out there to make homemade mac and cheese. I think my first recipe was from the back of a macaroni noodle box. Since I have made it for so long I don't really need the recipe anymore and I have changed it over the years and mixed and measured until I have developed my own recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Ingredients:
1/2 a box of macaroni/or  1 box of penne noodles. ( I usually double the recipe and freeze it for another time in a disposable aluminum dish)
2.Cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
3.Cups of milk
5. Tbs. Butter
5. Tbs. whole wheat/ or all purpose flour
1. tsp. wet or dry mustard
1. tsp salt and pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions:
makes 8 servings/ preheat oven to 350

Cook half box of macaroni according to directions on box. While noodles are cooking heat a large sauce pan and melt butter in it. Once butter has melted add 1 Tbs. of flour at a time until it thickens. Once it has thickened into a roux( flour and fat used to thicken sauces) start adding milk 1 cup at a time- constantly stirring until thickened. Now add mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper and cheese, stirring until incorporated.

Drain noodles and add to sauce. Mix until well combined. Butter a 9x11 casserole dish and spread into dish evenly. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Enjoy and savor some buttery, cheesy, comforty goodness!! ( I realize comforty is not a real word) And of course serve with some greens like broccoli, green beans or salad!

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