classic mac & cheese*

I am always on the lookout for a good mac & cheese recipe. The students just love it and I must admit - I do, too! Confession:  LOVE Kraft macaroni and cheese. I think I could eat it every single day. However, I do not like Velveeta mac and cheese. Not a fan. The cheese is kind of waxy and..I don't know. Anyway, although I know homemade mac and cheese isn't all that healthy, I feel like if I make it myself - it is only like 100 calories for a 2 cup serving. A girl can dream - right?

I loved this recipe. However, the next time we make it we are going to make sure that the noodles are really really saucy, or else it kind of dries up in the oven. But I refuse to do without the breadcrumb topping, because let's get real - that is the best part!!

Classic Mac & Cheese
from Annie's Eats

Ingredients:

For the bread crumb topping:

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

¾ cup panko bread crumbs

1 tsp. dried parsley

Salt and pepper

For the pasta:

1 lb. pasta shapes

6 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. dry mustard

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

6 tbsp. all-purpose flour

2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth

3½ cups milk

1 lb. colby jack cheese, shredded

8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Ground black pepper

Directions:

To make the bread crumb topping, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add in the panko and cook, stirring frequently, until the bread crumbs are a light golden brown.  Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside to cool. 

Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.  Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add the pasta to the water and cook just until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes.  Drain the pasta and leave in the colander. 

Return the pot to the heat.  Melt the butter over medium-high heat.  Stir in the garlic, dry mustard, and cayenne, cooking just until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.  Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute.  Whisk in the chicken broth and milk and continue to heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in the cheeses, whisking until completely melted.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir the drained pasta into the cheese sauce. 

Pour the pasta and cheese mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13" baking dish.  Sprinkle with the bread crumb topping.*  Bake 30-35 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden brown.  (You may want to place a baking sheet on the rack underneath the baking dish to catch any sauce that bubbles over.)   

Remember - it's homemade so practically healthy! We served it with some roasted broccoli, so extra extra healthy. Fiber, dairy and whole-ish grain :)

-alyssa*