This is different from any of the previous recipes by me or anyone, hence the title…
This one offers lots of flavor but can be easily altered by adding some diced ham, broccoli, or asparagus pieces just before baking. It’s delicious and very inexpensive to feed the entire family.
12-oz pkg elbow macaroni
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup finely minced onion
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups whole or 2-percent fat milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8-oz shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup fresh bread crumbs, or 1/2 cup dried
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain in a colander.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 5 min, or until softened. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring for 1 min.
Slowly pour in the milk and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until mixture thickens and bubbles, about 6 min. Stir in the mustard and cayenne pepper.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Scrape the mixture into a 9×13-in baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake the casserole until the top is golden brown, about 30 min. Serve hot. Serves 8
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / urbanlight
This one is absolutely fabulous, we had it for dinner last night. You can also add leftover chunks of ham (from a ham dinner) or broccoli just prior to baking.
I’m so glad that you liked it! And you are so right about adding some ingredients that you mentioned. This is perfect for using up some leftovers!
This was the recipe that my dm made that i grew up on and had forgotten about until i was cleaning out some family stuff and came across her ‘notebook’ with recipes. i’m still going through it to find some of the gems i grew up on! interesting note…i remember that ‘us kids’ would get the mac and cheese with a salad for dinner while dd would have this with a ham steak and salad.
she would eat the same as us, but dd got a big piece of meat. the bonus was that we got ice cream for dessert and he got a bowl of berries…giggle… as an adult, i know that i’d be better off with berries, but as a kid i thought that i had the better end of the deal!
lol!
i hope that anyone trying this meal will make their own additions and make the recipe their own!!!!!