This easy macaroni and cheese took 15 minutes and only two pans to make. One for boiling the pasta and a good cast iron pan for the sauce and the baking cuts down on dishes. So yes, even you can make this on a meeting night.
Prep Time15 minsCook Time35 minsTotal Time50 mins
INGREDIENTS
2.50 cups Elbow Macaroni
3 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Flour
2 cups Whole Milk (2% can be used but whole milk is better)
1.50 cups Sharp cheddar, shreddedPlease do not use the bagged, pre-shredded cheeses
1 cup Mozzarella, shredded Please do not use the bagged, pre-shredded cheeses
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Paprika
1 tsp Black Pepper
2 Tomatoes, Thinly sliced
½ tsp Italian Seasoning
Optionally add some heat - Red Pepper Flakes or Cayenne Pepper
Add Ins...(optional)
Add bacon bits; Cooked chicken pieces; Cooked Broccoli,
Top with breadcrumbs and parmesan
DIRECTIONS
1Preheat oven to 360 deg.
2Bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous sprinkling of salt and add the 2.5 cups pasta. Cook the pasta for 6 minutes.
3While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a skillet or pot large enough to hold the pasta when it’s done. I used a cast iron pan that can easily transfer from stove top to oven.
4Add the flour and stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned; 1-2 minutes.
5Add the milk and whisk to remove any lumps and seasonings and black pepper.
Never stop stirring your milk once it hits the pan.
6Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble. About 6 minutes.
7Stir in the cheese and whisk until smooth and melted. Turn off the heat.
8When the pasta, drain it and add to the sauce.
9Stir the pasta into the sauce and add the tomato slices. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
10Transfer to a baking dish (if needed) and bake for 20 minutes.
You can also skip baking it if you want it super creamy and just put it under the broiler to brown the top (keep an eye on it) and then serve.
11Turn the broiler on high and broil for 3 mins - watching carefully.
To make ahead...
12Cool the pasta and cheese sauce once they have been mixed together, cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to bake. Up to two days.
Bake until hot in the center and bubbling around the edges.
Ingredients
2.50 cups Elbow Macaroni
3 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Flour
2 cups Whole Milk (2% can be used but whole milk is better)
1.50 cups Sharp cheddar, shreddedPlease do not use the bagged, pre-shredded cheeses
1 cup Mozzarella, shredded Please do not use the bagged, pre-shredded cheeses
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Paprika
1 tsp Black Pepper
2 Tomatoes, Thinly sliced
½ tsp Italian Seasoning
Optionally add some heat - Red Pepper Flakes or Cayenne Pepper
Add Ins...(optional)
Add bacon bits; Cooked chicken pieces; Cooked Broccoli,
Top with breadcrumbs and parmesan
Directions
1Preheat oven to 360 deg.
2Bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous sprinkling of salt and add the 2.5 cups pasta. Cook the pasta for 6 minutes.
3While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a skillet or pot large enough to hold the pasta when it’s done. I used a cast iron pan that can easily transfer from stove top to oven.
4Add the flour and stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned; 1-2 minutes.
5Add the milk and whisk to remove any lumps and seasonings and black pepper.
Never stop stirring your milk once it hits the pan.
6Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble. About 6 minutes.
7Stir in the cheese and whisk until smooth and melted. Turn off the heat.
8When the pasta, drain it and add to the sauce.
9Stir the pasta into the sauce and add the tomato slices. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
10Transfer to a baking dish (if needed) and bake for 20 minutes.
You can also skip baking it if you want it super creamy and just put it under the broiler to brown the top (keep an eye on it) and then serve.
11Turn the broiler on high and broil for 3 mins - watching carefully.
To make ahead...
12Cool the pasta and cheese sauce once they have been mixed together, cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to bake. Up to two days.
Bake until hot in the center and bubbling around the edges.
Fish Food
