You are drooling aren’t you?

Yeah…I am not talking about the stuff in a box. We are talking the real thing…oozing melted cheese, creamy goodness and crunchy crumbs on top. Budget friendly? Yep, it isn’t too bad. But the real payoff is in the whole-body hug that macaroni and cheese is.

Because, really, it is. You take a bite and all of a suddenly everything that has been bothering you for the entire week (unless it is gall bladder problems..mac and cheese will make those worse. I know) melts away and your soul feels soothed by the lullaby going on in your mouth.

This is my version of macaroni and cheese supreme. The original recipe came out of a 1940s cookbook that I have and the main difference is in the cheese blend. They used all sharp cheddar and you can certainly do that if you like. I am telling you I am totally addicted to Panko crumbs at this point. I have put crumb toppings on casseroles before but this was well beyond perfect. You can use any bread crumbs but please try it just once with the Panko.

Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese Supreme

serves 8

• 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon of pepper
• 4 cups half and half cream or whole milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup pimento
• 2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cut in small cubes
• 1 cup Swiss cut in small cubes
• 1 1/2 cup Panko crumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F
2. Melt butter and saute the onion in it.
3. Add flour, salt, and pepper and mix well
4. Stir in half and half
5. Cook until smooth and thickened
6. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the cubed cheese and Panko, and stir until smooth
7. Mix with macaroni and stir in the cubed cheese. Spoon into casserole dish
8. Sprinkle Panko and a generous amount of pepper on top and bake for 30 minutes

images:maryeaudet

Post from: Baking Delights

Noodles, bacon, cheese….what’s not to love?

This freezes well, kidls love it, so do husbands and hormonal women…Perfect for a cold day, a bad day, a busy day…or just because.  Vary the cheese for flavor changes, use ham instead of bacon…Use a different type of pasta if you want. Yum.

This is my entry for Presto Pasta.   For more great pasta dishes head over to Presto Pasta Nights

Noodles, Bacon, and Cheese

• 2 lb egg noodles, cooked and drained
• 1/2 lb or more of bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup of cheddar cubed or grated
• 1 cup of Swiss, Gruyere, Monterey Jack,  Jalapeno jack, Gouda, Havarti…or a mix cubed or grated
• 2 cups of milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup flour

Saute the bacon and onion until the bacon is crisp and the onion is tender.  Mix with the noodles in a greased casserole.  Mix the cheeses together.  Mix in 3/4 cup of the cheese.

Make a white sauce.   Mix the flour and milk in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave, stirring often, until mixture thickens.  Stir in the butter and cheese.  Microwave until melted and smooth, continuing to stir often.

Check seasoning and add salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the noodles and mix well.  You can serve immediately or top with bread crumbs and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Serves 6 to 8.

Post from: Baking Delights