Traditional Macaroni & Cheese
If you’re a little surprised to see Macaroni and Cheese on a holiday dinner table, you are not alone. Not everyone has the same traditional dinner items when celebrating the Holidays, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start enjoying these dishes now! It’s never too late to start a new tradition!
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 1/2 tablespoon butter, divided
1 1/2 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 (6 ounces) cup shredded Cheddar cheese*
1/4 cup dried unflavored breadcrumbs
Toast breadcrumbs by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Add breadcrumbs and cook 3 minutes, stirring often, until toasted. Cook macaroni according to the directions on the box. Drain well. Melt remaining 1 ½ tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted slowly add in flour. Cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Add milk slowly. Continue to cook, stirring often until thick. Remove pan from stove once sauce is thick and add salt and pepper. Add cheese and stir until cheese is completely melted and smooth. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir well. Add toasted breadcrumbs to top and serve.
*You can, of course, experiment with a mixture of cheeses. Replace a little of the Cheddar cheese with some Monterey Jack or freshly grated Parmesan cheese to add another layer of flavor.