Baked Macaroni and Cheese

If you want to really make my kids happy all you have to do is serve up some good ol' mac n' cheese.  I seriously do not know a single person who doesn't like mac n' cheese...well one, my dad, but in all fairness he doesn't like the boxed powder cheese stuff.  Homemade though is always good.  So I guess I should say I do not know a single person who dislikes homemade mac n' cheese.  Seriously...what's not to like?!?  Yummy noodles smothered in warm, melty, cheesy goodness.  

OK now I am drooling.  Before I short out my keyboard lets get to the recipe!

Look at all the cheesy goodness!

Yes it tastes as good as it looks!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
16 oz elbow macaroni
1 stick unsalted butter, 1/2 cup
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch nutmeg
1 TBS worcestershire sauce
4 cups milk
4 cups shredded cheese (any combination you like...sharp cheddar, gouda, swiss, parmesan, the possibilities are endless!) I used 1 cup swiss, 1 cup sharp cheddar, and 2 cups colby jack this time
1 sleeve of ritz crackers, crushed
1 TBS melted butter

• Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente
• In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat
• Whisk in flour, onion powder, worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, ground mustard, pepper, salt, and nutmeg cooking while stirring for about 1-2 minutes to cook off the flour flavor
• Gradually whisk in milk stirring constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil
• Add cheese and stir until melted (I add 1 cup at a time to make sure it melts evenly without any lumps)
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat
• Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish
• In a small bowl mix together crushed ritz crackers and melted butter until crackers are moistened
• Sprinkle over top of the macaroni and cheese mixture
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly

This dish is truly heaven!  So gooey and delicious!  It's a definite crowd pleaser :)  I didn't have much for leftovers, but what I did have I stirred in some chili for chili mac lunches tomorrow.  I am sure that will be just as yummy!

Below is the nutritional value per serving.  This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.  It is a bit of a calorie bomb, but that's ok once in a while.  And you could make it healthier.  However, this is mac n' cheese!  It needs to be rich and creamy, but that's just my personal opinion ;)

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 288 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 729 Calories from Fat 338

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 37.5g 58%

Saturated Fat 20.1g 101%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 81mg 27%

Sodium 720mg 30%

Total Carbohydrates 75.2g 25%

Dietary Fiber 2.1g 8%

Sugars 10.2g

Protein 22.1g

Vitamin A 21% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 51% • Iron 17%

Nutrition Grade B-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Bad points

• High in saturated fat

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