Baked Mac and Cheese

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 can evaporated milk
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2.5 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2.5 cup white sharp cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup herb breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside
  3. In a large pan, cook the macaroni according to package directions but cook it 1-2 minuets under. (it will continue cooking as it bakes later)
  4. Drain the pasta and drizzle with olive oil to prevent it from drying out while making sauce. Set noodles aside.
  5. In the same pan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium-low heat. Once butter is melted add in flour and whisk for about 3 minutes.
  6. Pour in 1 cup of milk and whisk until any lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth.
  7. Add evaporated milk, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth and begins to boil and thicken.
  8. Stir in 4 cups of white/mild cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in the macaroni noodles.
  10. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese over the top of the mixture.
  11. In a small bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and melted 4 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle over mac and cheese dish.
  12. Bake mac and cheese for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and top is golden brown.