Use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add diced pimentos to the cheese sauce for color and flavor. Spice it up with a pinch of cayenne and a dash of garlic powder. A Mexican blend of cheeses and chile peppers are great when using the sauce in a. Combine the pasta and cheese sauce. Place the pasta and 1/2 of the cheese sauce in a large serving bowl. Stir to coat the pasta evenly. Add the remaining sauce and any extra add-ins and stir to combine. If you'd like a looser sauce, add up to another 1/4 cup milk if desired. Serve the mac and cheese.
This recipe sure beats boxed mac ‘n cheese! As a side dish, it serves eight people.
My mac and cheese gets extra richness from the milk, flour and butter sauce I make, also known as béchamel sauce. –RR
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil ( EVOO)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole or 2 percent milk
- 3 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground or freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, a couple pinches
- Salt
- 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked 8 minutes or to al dente, with a little bite to it
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Preparation
Pre-heat broiler.
Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil and butter, about one turn of the pan. When the butter melts into the oil, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook, about three minutes.
Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow the milk to thicken a bit, then stir in two cups of shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time.
Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Taste and add a little salt, if you like. Add cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce.
Cheese Sauce For Mac And Cheese Recipe
Cheese Sauce For Mac And Cheese Without Butter
Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place baking dish under a hot broiler and brown the cheddar cheese on top.