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CREAMY BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

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If theres one dish that makes its way across countless dinner tables and sparks nostalgia from the first bite, its the classic baked mac and cheese. Whether youre cuddling up on a winter night or just need that food hug after a long day, this gooey cheesy delight is almost always the answer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. elbow pasta (just like mama used to have)
  • 1/2 cup of good ol unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk (the creamier the better)
  • 2 1/2 cups half and half
  • 4 cups of medium sharp cheddar cheese (shredded (and dont you go buyin it pre-shredded))
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded (again, shred it yerself, darlin))
  • A pinch of salt (about 1/2 Tbsp.)
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper (for that kick)
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika (for a lil color and flair)

Instructions

  1. Preheat that oven of yours to 325 degrees F. Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a good greasin.
  2. Now, fill a big ol pot with water and a sprinkle of salt. Get it boilin, then throw in the pasta. Cook it a minute less than what that there package tells ya for al dente. Drain it, and give it a splash of olive oil to keep it from gettin all clingy-like.
  3. While youre waitin on that water, get to shreddin yer cheeses. Mix em together and divide em into three piles. About 3 cups for the sauce, 1 1/2 cups to layer in the middle, and 1 1/2 cups for the golden top.
  4. Melt yer butter in a big saucepan over medium heat. Toss in the flour and give it a good whiskin. Itll look a bit like wet sand from the creek bed. Let it cook for a minute, keepin that whisk movin. Gradually pour in the half and half, keep whiskin. Once its smooth, add the milk. Keep on whiskin til its thicker than a cowboys accent.
  5. Take it off the heat and mix in yer spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses. Give it a good stir til its smooth as a prairie sunset. Add another 1 1/2 cups of cheese and stir until its as smooth as a country ballad.
  6. In a big mixin bowl, mix that drained pasta with your creamy cheese sauce. Pour half of it into your greased baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheese over the top, then add the rest of the pasta mixture on top.
  7. Top it all off with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese, then bake it for bout 15 minutes. When its all bubbly and lightly golden, youll know its done to perfection.

Find it online: https://www.delicetreats.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese/