Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

http://healthyintuitions.blogspot.com/Mom's Recipe

A favorite comfort food in my family was Mom's Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese recipe.  She always made it from scratch and it was so delicious.  Obviously much more superior than the boxed version, which tasted soooo bad!  Do I dare mention this company's name?  You know who they are...it's Kraft, the company that makes their so-called healthy meals for kids.  The latest news about boxed Kraft Mac and Cheese is that it now has warning labels on the back of the package.  It contains artificial food dyes, such as Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 in the powdered cheese.  Kraft's pasta is made from (GMO) genetically modified wheat. 

I've made Kraft's Mac and Cheese in the past for an easy meal, but I'm happy that I never made it a habit because now I know how harmful it is to your health.

My mom's recipe for baked mac and cheese is easy to make, and I've updated it with all organic ingredients, but it is still her basic recipe.


Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 T. organic unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup organic bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup organic shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb. organic elbow pasta
• 4 T. organic flour
• 4 cups organic 2% milk 
• 6 cups grated organic white cheddar cheese
• sea salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Melt 1 T. butter and combine with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.  Set aside.

2)  Cook pasta per package directions, drain, and return to cooking pot.

3)  In a large saucepan, melt remaining butter over low to medium heat.  Add the flour and whisk until golden.  Add milk; continue whisking and cooking until sauce thickens slightly.  Add grated cheese, whisking until cheese melts into sauce.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

4)  Pour sauce over pasta and stir.  Pour mixture into a 4-quart baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture.

5)  Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly golden and bubbling.  

Serves 6-8