Easy, Creamy Mac and Cheese

Submitted by internetnut

"I found this recipe in Southern Living magazine. I have not tried this recipe, but I'm posting it for safe keeping."

 

• Ready In: 29mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup rotini pasta (16oz)
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1⁄2 cups 2% low-fat milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 10 ounces 2% cheddar cheese, shredded

directions

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth.; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and next 3 ingredients; cook, whisking constantly, 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat.
3. Gradually stir in Cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Stir in hot cooked pasta. Serve immediately.
4. Kitchen Express: Prepare pasta according to package directions. Cook 2 (10oz) containers refrigerated light Alfredo sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, 3-4 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Gradually whisk in 10oz block 2% sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded, until smooth. Stir in hot cooked pasta and 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper.
5. Southwest Chicken Mac and Cheese: Stir in 2 cups chopped cooked chicken and 10oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained, into cheese sauce with pasta.
6. Spinach-Bacon Mac and Cheese: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (about 6 slices) and 6oz package fresh baby spinach into cheese sauce with pasta.
7. Broccoli-Ham Mac and Cheese: Stir in 2 cups smoked ham and 12oz package frozen steam-in bag broccoli florets, cooked according to package
8. directions, into cheese sauce with pasta.
9. Chicken-Asparagus Mac and Cheese: Stir 2 cups chopped cooked chicken and 9oz package frozen asparagus cuts, cooked according to package directions, into cheese sauce with pasta.
10. Pea-Prosciutto Mac and Cheese: Cook 1/2 cup thinly sliced prosciutto, pancetta, or bacon (about 2oz) in a lightly greased skillet until crisp. Stir in prosciutto and 12oz package frozen sweet peas, cooked according to package directions, into cheese sauce with pasta.

Reviews

[TreeSquirrel]

This is my new go-to mac n' cheese! No more store-bought fake cheese packets for me anymore! I loved how easy this was to throw together. It was also quick to make. I didn't have the elbow pasta, so I used what I had on hand. Also, I ended up using about half a box of pasta, not the 1/2 cup listed. The sauce made a big pot! Thanks for posting!