Baked Mac-N-Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon ground salt, plus some for pasta water
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons butter, plus some for cracker crumbs or Pam spray
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pound (16 ozs) white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 pound (8 ozs) colby-jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Cook pasta in salted water to al dente per package directions; drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt butter.  Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2-3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux forms.
  4. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved.  Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly.
  5. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, salt and pepper.  Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly.  Place macaroni mixture in a 13″ x 9″ baking dish and top with bread crumbs spritzed with Pam/drizzled with butter.
  7. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown (you can broil slightly if you prefer).

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