Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

Katzen's Note:

I've not seen any recipe like this here. Mom used to make it, and it is divine comfort food; chunks of cheddar and a basic Béchamel sauce, topped with buttery bread crumbs, make for an amazing dish! **Béchamel sauce technique updated, thanks Noo for pointing out the error.**

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 cups macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups milk
• 5 tablespoons flour
• salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 lbs cheddar cheese, medium and old, diced
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. Cook macaroni, drain.
2. Melt butter over medium heat, add flour and cook briefly while stirring, until slightly golden in colour. Meanwhile, heat milk in microwave or on stove in separate pot until warm.
3. Slowly add milk to flour and butter mixture; cook while whisking until sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper.
4. Put half the cooked macaroni in a 9x13 pan; layer half the cheese, and half the sauce. Repeat.
5. Top with breadcrumbs.
6. Sprinkle top with melted butter.
7. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes, until bubbling in middle.

Reviews

[Cookgirl]

Why do people buy boxed macaroni and cheese when you can easily prepare it at home?
Macaroni and Cheese is one of the best examples of comfort food: creamy, rich, satisfying, delicious. I reduced the cheese to about 4 cups shredded and used a combination of Oregon-made Bandon sharp cheese/New Zealand white sharp cheddar and increased the breadcrumbs to 1 cup. A light sprinkle of paprika on top for color and contrast. One suggestion-slightly undercook the pasta because it works better in the long one. Served with steamed romanesco and a simple tossed salad with vinaigrette. Thanks for posting, Katzen. Reviewed for Veg Tag/October.

[breezermom]

I halved the recipe and kept the measurements proportionate. I used shredded cheese for ease, and found that this seemed to work. Loved the white sauce....almost let it get too thick. :) Only thing I might change is to leave the breadcrumb topping off....I think I'd rather just enjoy the creaminess without the crunch! Thanks for sharing. Made for Best of 2011 tag.

[Lalaloula]

Wow, what a decadent treat this is! YUM! Its so cheesy, saucy and mmmm yummy! I loved having the differerent layers and cheese everywhere. :) However I found that 3 cups milk would have made the sauce soupy, so I only used 2 and I also reduced the cheese quite a bit as I thought that was enough for our taste. Even so this turned out very, very decadent and cheesy. :)
I also left out the breadcrumbs and added some spices and herbs to the sauce (paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian herbs, cayenne pepper).
THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing a real keeper with us, Kat! Ill definitely make this again and again and again. Next time I think Ill use half shredded and half cubed cheese just to see what a difference it makes.
Made and reviewed for PAC Fall 2011 - Youve been adopted! :)