Festive Macaroni and Cheese

Submitted by Sierra Silver

"It looks like something from Christmas, tastes like something from summer, and makes you feel like you're over at grandma's. This is a nice, healthy, flavorful macaroni. Feel free to add a bit of shredded chicken if you feel like it."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 45mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons flour
• 3 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup American cheese, cubed
• 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped finely
• 1 lb broccoli, thawed and chopped or 1 lb cauliflower, mix thawed and chopped
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 cups breadcrumbs

directions

1. In a large skillet, sauté scallions, bell pepper, and jalapeno until softened; drain.
2. Cook macaroni just until al dente, 8-10 minutes.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
4. Add flour; whisk while cooking, and cook until smooth and lightly browned.
5. Whisk in evaporated milk, milk, and spices; stir until thickened.
6. Stir in American cheese; allow to melt thoroughly. Add cheddar in one-cup increments, melting thoroughly between additions.
7. Mix sauce with vegetables and pasta; add to greased 13 x 9 inch pan.
8. Top with breadcrumbs.
9. Bake, uncovered, at 350 F 40-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Reviews

[Rennug]

To start, I followed the step by step to the tee, guessed at the temp. at 375 and put it all into a 9x13 pan. Too much for the pan and had to take alot out, 2 cups of bread crumbs? you obviously guessed at that amount because that was way too much, and in the end, it tasted like @&$%.