This recipe is a hit for nearly every family and for every holiday meal. You can’t beat it, with all of that dreamy cheese and pasta. It’s a warm, heaping bowl of comfort food.
INGREDIENTS
16 oz elbow macaroni
1/2 c salted butter
1/2 c flour
3 c milk
2 1/2 c cheddar
2 c mozzarella
1 tsp ea salt & pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
STEP 2
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook 2 minutes
shy of al dente.
STEP 3
Drain, rinse and add the cooked pasta to the prepared pan in a single layer.
Melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Add milk and whisk until creamy and thickened, about 3 minutes.
STEP 4
Add 2 cups cheddar,
2 cups Gruyere or mozzarella, salt, pepper and paprika to the pan and stir until cheese has melted.
STEP 5
Pour the cheese mixture over the top of the pasta in the pan. Stir and top with reserved cheddar and Gruyere/mozzarella. Top with Parmesan.
STEP 6
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is very lightly golden brown around the edges. Serve immediately!
STEP 7
Add cooked ham or bacon pieces for added flavor and when serving as a main dish.