Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Yes, that’s mac and cheese…. what you’ve never had mac and cheese for football sunday? Well think outside the box and your kids will worship you for it. Mac and cheese is all about comfort, and on Sunday after a long week comfort is needed. Enjoy!!    

Stovetop mac and cheese
Everyday Food
October Issue

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• coarse salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 pound small shell pasta or elbow macaroni
• 4 cups coarsely grated sharp yellow cheddar (3/4 pound)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat: add onion and cook until softened about 4 minutes. Add flour and 1/2 tsp salt; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden, has a slightly nutty aroma, and is the texture of cooked oatmeal, about 5 minutes.

Whisking constanlty, pour in 2 cups milk; add 2 more cups and cayenne and whisk until smooth. Cook mixture, stirring constantly along bottom of pan, until boiling, 6 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and does not feel grainy when a small amount is rubbed between two fingers, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente; drain thoroughly and return to pot. Remove sauce from heat and let cool 10 minutes. Quickly whisk in cheese, mustard, and worcestershire. Pour cheese sauce over pasta and stir to coat.

© 2009 – 2011, Sweet Life. All rights reserved.