Mac & Cheese

Directions

  1. 1Add an entire box of macaroni to some salted water.
  2. 2Add a chicken bouillon cube for extra flavor.
  3. 3Cook the macaroni 3 minutes less than what the box says, as it will also bake.
  4. 4Strain the cooked macaroni and set aside.
  5. 5Grate the cheeses: sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella.
  6. 6Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a pot.
  7. 7Once the butter melts, add 1/4 cup of flour and whisk it in, cooking out the raw flour.
  8. 8Whisk in an entire can of evaporated milk; it will seize up, but keep mixing.
  9. 9Add 2 cups of half & half.
  10. 10Add Tony's seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, a tiny bit of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the cheese sauce.
  11. 11Add a few dashes of hot sauce (Crystals) to the sauce.
  12. 12Keep mixing until the sauce thickens.
  13. 13Add the grated cheese to the sauce, saving about half for the topping, and mix until all the cheese melts.
  14. 14Add the cooked noodles (which had butter added to them to prevent sticking) to the cheese sauce and mix.
  15. 15Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
  16. 16Smother the top with the remaining cheese.
  17. 17Bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown, then broil for 5 minutes for a nice crust.
  18. 18Let cool before serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 box macaroni
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon cube
  • sharp cheddar cheese
  • Colby Jack cheese
  • mozzarella
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 0.25 cup flour
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 2 cups half & half
  • Tony's seasoning
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • nutmeg
  • salt
  • pepper
  • hot sauce (Crystals)

Equipment

potcolanderbox graterbaking dishwhiskspatula

Tips

  • Cook noodles 3 minutes less than the box says to prevent overcooking since they will bake as well.
  • Spray your grater with nonstick spray and place cheeses in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm them up for easier grating.
  • Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as pre-shredded cheese has a coating that makes it harder to melt.
  • Let the mac and cheese cool before serving to allow it to set.