In preparation for Thanksgiving, we will be featuring recipes on the Rubenstein Law blog. Click the link to see more ideas for your Thanksgiving table!
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When planning your holiday menu, it's always important to consider what your kids like to eat. Baked macaroni and cheese is not only a classic, but it's kid-approved! Miami personal injury attorney, Sarah Vega, will be using the recipe below this Thanksgiving. Mac-n-cheese is her favorite go-to side, "especially with three little ones."
INGREDIENTS
1 LB dried elbow pasta
1/2 C unsalted butter 1 stick
1/2 C all purpose flour
1 1/2 C whole milk
2 1/2 C half and half
4 C grated medium sharp cheddar cheese divided
2 C grated Gruyere cheese divided
1/2 TB salt
1/2 TSP black pepper
1/4 TSP paprika
OPTIONAL
Replace cheese amounts with the following:
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Colby cheese, shredded
1 cup Muenster cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 3-quart (9"x13") baking dish. Set aside.
STEP 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking.
STEP 3
While water is coming up to a boil, grate cheeses and toss together to mix, then divide into three: approximately 3 cups for the sauce, 1 1/2 cups for the inner layer, and 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
STEP 4
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Mixture will look like wet sand. Cook approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in about 2 cups or so of the milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until smooth. Slowly pour in the remaining milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
STEP 5
Continue to heat over medium heat, whisking very often, until thickened to a very thick consistency. It should almost be the consistency of a semi-thinned out condensed soup.
STEP 6
Stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
STEP 7
In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups of grated cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture.
STEP 8
Sprinkle the top with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
Recipe is from www.thechunkychef.com