This is my favorite dish. Hands down. I love that I can mix things up by adding different cheeses, switching up the noodles, and even adding a protein--shrimp, crab, lobster, bacon, chicken. Sigh. Yum.
It's not the healthiest meal with all the cheese, so I try to limit my intake. Still, this recipe is delicious and a necessary for special occasions.
The secret ingredient: Cream Cheese. It helps give things that desired silky, rich texture.
Ingredients
It's not the healthiest meal with all the cheese, so I try to limit my intake. Still, this recipe is delicious and a necessary for special occasions.
The secret ingredient: Cream Cheese. It helps give things that desired silky, rich texture.
2 C + 1 C Chicken Broth (separate)
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
2 C Water
3 C Macaroni (uncooked)
2 Tb Butter
2 Tb Flour
1/2 C Half 'N' Half
1/2 C Milk
1/2 C Cream Cheese, softened
4 C finely Shredded Cheeses (Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gouda, Muenster--get creative!)
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Salt
Optional: 2 C Crab, Shrimp, or Lobster, cooked and chopped
In a large pot, add 2 C Water and 2 C Chicken Broth. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente--the noodles should be very firm. Don't overcook! You'll still be baking the macaroni and you don't want it to get too soggy. This should take about 7-8 minutes, but times vary. When macaroni is done, drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter & whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute, whisking the entire time. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth, the half n half, and the milk. Whisk until combined. You want the mixture to steam but NOT boil. Adjust your heat accordingly. Add in the cream cheese and stir until it is completely dissolved and smooth.
Pour the cheese mixture over cooked macaroni and stir to combine. If you've opted to add meat, stir it in.
Grease a 9 X 9 inch pan with butter and pour in the macaroni and cheese. Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese and paprika. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter & whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute, whisking the entire time. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth, the half n half, and the milk. Whisk until combined. You want the mixture to steam but NOT boil. Adjust your heat accordingly. Add in the cream cheese and stir until it is completely dissolved and smooth.
Remove from heat and add in 4 cups of cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
Pour the cheese mixture over cooked macaroni and stir to combine. If you've opted to add meat, stir it in.
Grease a 9 X 9 inch pan with butter and pour in the macaroni and cheese. Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese and paprika. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
Allow to cool and serve.
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