Simple, Delicious Macaroni and Cheese

I realized the other day that not only is homemade macaroni and cheese easy to make... it is always a hit, and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand.

Allow me to demonstrate.

Melt 2 Tbs butter in a pot.  Or a pan.  Whatever you've got.



Add 3 Tbs flour (do not use wheat flour here, folks.  You will regret it.  It does not taste right with wheat flour).



Don't worry if it looks like really thick paste at first.  Keep it over low heat, pushing it around with a spoon for about 2-5 minutes... until you can't stand it anymore.



Then slowly add 1 cup of milk.  Whole milk, if your conscience can handle it.  Mine can, even when I'm not pregnant.  I love whole milk.

 

Keep stirring.  No worries if it looks lumpy. But switching to a whisk would be a good idea at this point.  Keep it over medium to med-high heat until it thickens up a little.  Then you can turn it down. 




When it is nice and thick, congratulate yourself!  You made a white sauce!  Now you can do anything.

Since we're making macaroni and cheese with our white sauce, now is when we start adding the shredded cheese.



I used about 12 oz of cheese here.

 

You want to add it very gradually - that is key to making a smooth cheese sauce.



When all the cheese is stirred in and the sauce is smooth and thick you are done.



Boil 1 package of elbow pasta (12 oz) and drain it.



Pour it into a bowl.  And then... are you ready for this?



Pour your delicious cheese sauce down over the pasta.



And give it a stir.  Doesn't that look incredible?  (Salt and pepper to taste.) 

And... now to address the guilt.  All things in moderation people.  Ya know what will make you feel better about eating this?



Steamed broccoli.



But as long as you're going to be eating macaroni and cheese, what difference does it make if some of the cheese gets on the broccoli before you serve it at the table?



It's all going to mix in your stomach anyways, so might as well toss the broccoli in the cheese sauce left in the pot.  

Yum.  Enjoy.