So you may be thinking, how is my macaroni and cheese project going? Well, it's kinda stuck.... on one recipe.



I have been absolutely loving (!) that recipe I used last time except I haven't been baking it (cause that kinda sucked). I have tweaked it in all sorts of ways.

The project is still a work in progress though!

This is what I have been doing so far. It is a combination of the VOD Panera recipe, the Panera recipe they listed on their blog, Smitten Kitchen's Martha's mac and cheese, and a few of my own tweaks.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 Tbsp butter
4 Tbsp flour (can use whole wheat pastry)
4 oz American cheese
4 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp mustard powder
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
1 box of pasta (I like cavatappi, can use whole wheat or other if you prefer)

Directions:

Boil the water and cook pasta according to the instructions.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan and when it begins to bubble add the flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk and cream while stirring.

After 5-10 minutes, the sauce will thicken. Add the spices and cheeses and stir until blended. Mix with the pasta and serve!

Easy and quick!

Variations:

I've tried adding Gruyere cheese, which I like, but it makes the sauce a bit less smooth. I am in the process of trying all different types of cheeses!

I've used whole wheat and regular ingredients and both are tasty although as usual, whole wheat is a little more, well, wheaty.

I've used all skim milk, some skim, all whole, and half whole and half cream as directed. That's the best, although if you add more cheese, less fatty milk balances it out.


I am still learning and working on it, so any suggestions are appreciated!!

I think if I want to bake it, I need to make more sauce so it dries out less... hmmm.... and the project continues!