Moms Baked Mac&Cheese

Moms home made baked mac and cheese

Ingredients:

2tbs olive oil

16 oz box of elbow noodles

1/2 stick butter

1/4 cup flour

2.5 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

2tsp turmeric

1/2 tbs garlic (we prefer fresh garlic)

salt/pepper to taste

2tsp italian seasoning 

3 cups sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups colby jack cheese

1/2 tsp paprika

1 1/2-2 cups seasoned bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350f

In a large pot bring water, 2tbs salt and olive oil to a boil. Add elbows once at a rapid boil, and cook per package instructions to aldente. Drain in a strainer and rinse with cool water to prevent from over cooking, then dump into a 9x13 baking dish. In the same pot you cooked pasta in, melt butter at med to low heat. once melted add in( garlic if using fresh cook for 1-2 mins until garlic is tender not burnt) flour and stir cooking for 2-3 minuets on low heat until flour has taken on a golden color, add in Turmeric, salt, pepper and italian seasoning. slowly stir in milk careful not to scald the milk. Once all the milk is added add in heavy cream, when mixture has reached a hot (but not boiling ) temp, slowly whisk in cheeses careful not to add too much at a time, mixing as you add to keep cheese from clumping and burning. Once the cheese is added and the roux has fully been mixed, turn off the heat and slowly pour over pasta in baking dish. Mix together thoroughly. Cover the top of the pasta/roux mixture with breadcrumbs and sprinkle paprika on top, season with salt and pepper to taste. Place in oven on middle rack and bake until golden brown, about 30 mins. Lets rest 5 mins, serve and enjoy

Great mix in ideas for those picky eaters: 

Ham

diced hot dogs

shredded chicken

finely chopped cauliflower ( its almost undetectable)