Most parents can agree that Mac & Cheese is a sure winner with the kids. There are numerous store-bought options, but making it from scratch can really turn it into a healthy, protein-packed meal that's also comforting and tasty.Here's a basic recipe we use if its a last minute decision
Basic Mac & Cheese
Cheese Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon organic white flour
2 cups organic whole milk
1 cup grated cheese (any ripened [eg not soft or too smelly] cheese: Cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss, whatever you have on hand)
Macaroni
Any bite-sized pasta 8-10 oz
Melt butter in large sauce pan on low heat, add flour and whisk into butter. This will make a paste (eg a roux) that you can stir over low heat for 5 minutes to cook out the flour taste. Raise to medium heat, add cold milk and whisk vigorously to blend flour paste into the milk. Simmer until it starts to thicken, again keep whisking to avoid lumps. Lower heat and add small handfuls of cheese, whisk them into the sauce to thicken. Once all the cheese is melted the sauce is ready.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta until very al dente, eg 5 minutes instead of 8-9 minutes.
Mix pasta and cheese sauce in a deep baking dish and sprinkle the top with more cheese and breadcrumbs if you have them. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is browned and melted. Let cool before serving.
