Neelys' Macaroni and Cheese

Mommy Diva's Note:

Another delicious recipe from today's episode of Down Home with the Neelys - and since I love baked mac and cheese, I need to try this now too! Looks FAB!!!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk, warm
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 dash salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 lb cavatappi pasta, cooked al dente
• 1 cup potato chip, crushed
• 5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated for topping

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large saucepot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the warmed milk and bring to a boil, continue to whisk constantly. The mixture will thicken as the heat increases. Continue to stir while adding the dry mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire.
3. Stir in the 3 cups of Cheddar until it melts.
4. Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and add to a 3 quart casserole dish.
5. Sprinkle the chips, bacon and Parmesan on top and bake for 35 minutes.

Reviews

[Papa D]

I have never cared for baked Macaroni and Cheese, but this recipe really carries a lot of flavor with a creamy/cheesy texture. Other than using elbow macaroni and cutting recipe in half I made as written, and yes making sure that the flour and butter mixture is cooked thru is the key. Thanks Mommy Diva for posting this delicious recipe. Made for Cook-A-Thon 4 Mommy Diva, January 2012! FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!

[coderdan]

I'd like to offer a hint. ANY roux (rue) i.e. flour base sauce MUST cook. If it still tastes floury, you haven't cooked it properly. Always bring your roux to a boil and then reduce down. Until you actually COOK the flour it will taste uncooked ;)

This recipe is a good one, I personally add toasted scallions, Panco bread crumbs, parsley, a little butter and Parmesan and broil this onto ... creates a lovely crust. It's even better if you toast a little Paprika and add to the mix.

[Lainey6605]

This is really yummy macaroni and cheese. The bacon and potato chips really make it extra-special. I would give this five stars if it had a little less flour and slightly more milk to make it creamier. It had a bit of a flour taste. Made for the Aussie/New Zealand Recipe Swap#20.