Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Go ahead and name a more iconic duo than Macaroni and Cheese, I dare you to try! It's a tried and true classic that deserves prime placement at the dinner table. This recipe will make you the favorite at your any party, and it's guaranteed to please the adults or the kids (unless they're monsters lol).

This recipe is indulgent to say the least, but when you are going to a party this is a great dish that feeds a lot of people. This is a great option to make ahead of time and then bake when it's time to eat!

A lot of people like to put breadcrumbs on top of their macaroni when they bake it, but I'm personally not a fan. So if you fancy topping with panko before you throw it in the oven then you do you boo.

EASY Tutorial

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Get Started!

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow pasta

• 6 tbs butter

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk

• 2 1/2 cups half and half

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 4 1/2 cups medium sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• Pinch of cayenne

• Pinch of nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 and butter a baking dish (9x13) and set aside.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and add pasta. Cook pasta for 2 minutes less than instructed. The pasta is going to continue to cook in the oven so we want it to be very al dente. Once cooked drain and add olive oil to prevent pasta from sticking. Set to the side.

3. In a blender add the milk, half and half, cottage cheese, dijon, and spices. Blend just to slightly smooth the cottage cheese consistency. Set to the side.

4. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. After the butter melts slowly add in the flour and whisk continuously. Cook for about 1 minute, It will start to look like wet sand. Then slowly pour in your creamy mixture and keep whisking until its fully combined and smooth. Continue to cook over medium heat and stirring often until you get a very thick consistency.

5. Turn heat to low. Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar and stir continuously until melts into a creamy consistency. After about 3 minutes add another 1 1/2 cups of cheddar and continue to stir. Once the cheese has fully melted turn the heat off and add in the drained pasta and mix until the pasta is coated in the cheese sauce.

6. Add 1/2 the cheesy pasta to your baking dish and then lay down 1 cup of cheese. Add remaining pasta to the baking dish and then top with remaining cheese.

7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.

8. Serve hot.

Enjoy!