Nice & Easy One-Pot Macaroni & Cheese

Name: Nice & Easy One-Pot Macaroni & Cheese
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 8 ounces elbow macaroni (approx, 2 cups) or 1 small pasta shells (approx, 2 cups); 2 cups old cheddar cheese or 2 cups extra-old cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 1/2 cups milk; 2 tbps. all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard or 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 pinch ground nutmeg; hot pepper sauce (optional); additional old cheddar cheese (optional) or extra-old cheddar cheese (optional)

Submitted by Chef mariajane

"What's better than a bowl of macaroni and cheese?? One that's made with the goodness of milk, the zip of Old cheddar, and is all in one pot!!!!! This is sure to become an instant classic!! Delicious!!"

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Ready In:: 15mins
Ingredients:: 9
Serves:: 4

ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni (approx, 2 cups) or 1 small pasta shells (approx, 2 cups)
2 cups old cheddar cheese or 2 cups extra-old cheddar cheese, shredded
1 ¹⁄₂ cups milk
2 tbps. all-purpose flour
¹⁄₂ teaspoon dry mustard or 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¹⁄₄ teaspoon pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg
hot pepper sauce (optional)
additional old cheddar cheese (optional) or extra-old cheddar cheese (optional)

directions

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until just tender but firm (al dente).
Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, (or in a tall container using an immersion blender) combine cheese, milk, flour, mustard, pepper and nutmeg. Process until blended and fairly smooth.
When pasta is ready, drain well and return to the pot. Add cheese mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or until sauce is creamy, smooth and thick. Season to taste with hot pepper sauce, if desired. Garnish with extra cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
TIP FOR KIDS: This is a terrific recipe to introduce whole wheat or vegetable pasta to your kids,. Mix a small amount of the different pasta in with regular pasta to start, and gradually increase the proportion each time you make it until your family is accustomed to all whole wheat or vegetable pasta.
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS: Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes when you pour cheese sauce into cookd macaroni. Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil just before serving. Replace 1/2 cup of the Old Cheddar with Asiago or Provolone cheese.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Chef mariajane

I am a 56 year old Gramma that, for the first time in my life, has purchase myself a computer, and I didn't know what i was missing!! I have a husband tha I adore, and 4 grandchildren that of course surpass all others - lol - I am disabled, and am an at home person, so I have a lot of time on my hands, to play with my recipes, and I am enjoying every bit of it - My husband will eat anything that I cook, so I have carte blanche as far as that goes, so I have a great time trying out new recipes. Paula Deen has published some of my favorite cookbooks, her recipes are easy and quick to do. Her sweets are fantastics, especially her pound cakes, Yummm I guess the dish that I am famous for is my Christmas ham - my family all comes home for Christmas, and if i don't have my ham they are dissapointed, and my grandson wants the pistachio squares!!! so I guess that is the dishes that I'm famous for.

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