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Homemade Mac & Cheese

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December 21, 2011

It can be tempting to take the “easy way out” when it comes to pre-packaged foods. There are many pre-packaged items, like Mac & Cheese, that are common staple in many kitchen cupboards. But, did you know that some of these common preservative and sodium filled boxed items can be made easily from scratch at home?

Here are a couple of my favorite Mac & Cheese recipes that are much more healthy for you and the kids.

Simple Mac and Cheese (no baking required):

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounce macaroni
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 dash pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Boil water and add macaroni. Cook according to package. Meanwhile, melt butter over medium to low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper to melted butter. Stir until clumpy. Then slowly add in milk. Cook until mixture starts to bubble.

Now add in the cheese. Stir until melted. You should have a nice cheese sauce. Simply drain the macaroni and add the cheese sauce. Stir until the macaroni is coated with sauce. Enjoy!

Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions and set aside. In a saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, whisk until well blended. Stir in milk and cream gradually. Bring to low boil and cook for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir until thickened. (Approx. 10 minutes) Add shredded cheddar half cup at a time and cook on low an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts. Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the sauce. Pour macaroni into baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.

If you are looking for an interesting twist on “normal” Mac & Cheese, check out Rachel Ray’s Mac and smoked Gouda recipe. I love this recipe because the Gouda adds a nice smokiness that normal mac and cheese can’t compare with. It also contains cauliflower for a veggie boost.

Do you have celiac disease or are you on a gluten-free diet? Try out this gluten-free mac and cheese recipe.

If you prefer to use a boxed product consider using an organic product like Annie’s Homegrown, Amy’s Kitchen, or 365 Wholefoods Brand.

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