Girl, you do not need that boxed mac and cheese with the cheese powder that can last on the shelf for longer than my last relationship.
This recipe is super customizable to whatever pasta you have on hand and cheese you’ve got in the fridge. I’d like to tell you this is a healthier version than the one in the box… but like come on. We are making noodles with cheese sauce… we’re not going for the healthy version. Here she is:
Needs:
- Small Sauce Pot (don’t use non-stick, it will scratch when you whisk)
- Whisk
Ingredients:
- Two hand fulls of pasta/noodles – anything you’ve got on hand works.
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 tablespoon of flour
- 1/2 cup of milk – room temp-ish
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of shredded cheese
- Note: use whatever cheese you’ve got! Maybe use a couple like cheddar and smoked gouda. Don’t do the same cheeses every time. Be creative and have fun.
- Salt/Pepper
- Toppings (if desired)
- Fried Onions/Shallots
- BBQ Pulled Pork/Chicken
- Ketchup (if that’s your thing)
Directions:
- In the sauce pot, boil some water and add a pinch of salt. Cook whatever pasta you have on hand according to the instructions.
- After the pasta is done cooking, keep about a one shot glass worth of the pasta water for the sauce. Then, drain your pasta, set it aside and put the pot back on the stove.
- On medium heat, melt butter. Once it gets bubbly, add in your flour and start whisking!
- When you see little bubbles pop through, that’s when you know it’s ready for milk.
- Slowly add the room-temp milk and continue to mix. Don’t check your phone and take a break – just keep mixing.
- After you’ve added all the milk, take the pot off the heat and whisk in the shredded cheese until completely melted. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste.
- Add back in the noodles and stir to combine (this is the money shot if you want to take your phone out now).
- Enjoy straight from the pot – OR – put the mac in an oven safe dish and bake on 400 for about 20-30 minutes. Top with whatever you like or go straight – I won’t tell you the right way to eat your mac and cheese.
-Fiercely Freckled