Recipe | My Favorite Homemade Mac & Cheese

I'm not a big fan of cheese.  I actually used to hate cheese.  So, I have never liked mac & cheese.  But, I have started to like cheese a little more and more - I started putting it on sandwiches, I like it more mixed-in and on top of dishes.  I'm still not a big fan of just eating plain cheese though.

As I have started to like cheese more, I decided to try mac & cheese.  Homemade mac & cheese.  And, I have actually really started to like mac & cheese.  It took me a couple times eating it to get used to it, but I really like it now.  I like more mild cheeses, so I like a pretty simple homemade recipe.  I've tried a few recipes now, and this one is my favorite!  It's quick and easy to make, the recipe can be halved (which I usually do since I'm a single person), and the bread crumbs on top are yummy!

To go along with the mac & cheese (to add some meat!) I usually do meatloaf, BBQ meatballs, or some sort of grilled meat.  This time I made these meatballs.  And, some veggies on the side are good too!

 Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Recipe from here
1 pound of macaroni (I usually just do whatever fun shape I have)
salt
1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk (I use 1%)
12 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz. havarti cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 slices bread, for crumbs

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta until it is almost done - make sure it is not completely cooked.  Strain the pasta.

In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter on medium low heat.  Stir in flour.  Cook butter and flour for 1 minute, while stirring.  Whisk in milk.  Cook over heat while whisking until smooth.  Cook for 5 minutes on medium until thickened and bubbly.  The mixture should coat the back of the spoon.  Remove from heat.

Add the shredded cheeses to the milk mixture, stirring until melted and smooth.  Season with pepper. Add the pasta into the cheese and stir to coat the pasta.  Pour into baking dish.

To make the breadcrumbs, pulse the bread in a food processor until it is in fine crumbs.  In a small skillet, melt remaining two tablespoons of butter, add the bread crumbs, and cook over medium heat until they have toasted.  Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the macaroni.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly.

Notes:

• I use about 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
• For the breadcrumbs, I have used homemade honey wheat bread to make them, and I have also used store bough breadcrumbs to toast.
• Can make a half batch.

Enjoy!