Macaroni and Cheese – comfort food at it’s best!

Macaroni and Cheese 

The original post I wrote for my Macaroni and Cheese recipe was entitled It Ain’t Fancy. I shared the story of my Grandma Phyllis and her recipe for Mac ‘n Cheese. My Grandma & Grandpa didn’t have a whole lot of money and they made due with what they had and instead of dishing out extras, they dished out a whole lot of love.

And I think that’s how it goes with a lot of families. Still to this day when I make Mac ‘n Cheese I giggle about Grandma Phyllis and the sense of humor she had and her smile and appreciate how she loved her family.

Today is different. This isn’t the normal kinda meal you see on my site. I mostly stick with healthy fresh food – not a whole lot of pasta or heavy food.

Macaroni and Cheese

Like I said, today is different. It’s the holidays – I’ve decorated our home, I’ve pulled out ornaments and memories. Thinking about times past, so I’m going to share this meal for Meatless Monday – Macaroni and Cheese. I’ve taken Grandma Phyllis’s recipe and changed it just a bit.

I’m looking for a little more POW – not just cheesy goodness but also some big flavor and I got it by making just a few tweaks to her recipe. Don’t worry though… I haven’t ruined it 😀 I’ve added just a few things that make it a touch better (in my humble opinion!).

Things like hot sauce, powdered mustard and grated cheese.

It’s all good…right?

Ain’t much more comforting than a bowl of Macaroni & Cheese!

Making the sauce is easy – after cooking the pasta use the same pot and begin by adding butter, cheese, half and half and the spices to a large heavy pot – place it over medium heat.

Making the sauce.

Cooking and whisk everything together until it becomes smooth and creamy – add the pasta back in and wa-la! You are done!

It’s simple, an easy 15 minute meal. No baking involved!

Macaroni and cheese doesn’t make a weekly occurrence in our home. It’s saved for special times when you need just an extra amount of  <3 !!

More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes!

• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
• Chili Mac ‘n Cheese

4.8 from 5 votes

Print

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. I understand there's more polished and healthier ways to make it, but when I'm eating Macaroni and Cheese I want it to be the best. Let's face it, it's not healthy to begin with so for those few times each year you do enjoy it, this is worth it!

Course Pasta

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 585 kcal

Author Souper Chef Deb

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz box shell or elbow pasta
• 1 cup cubed Velveeta Cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup half & half
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoons to 1 pepper sauce I used Tabasco
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. In a large stock pot with lots of water (that's been salted)* cook the pasta according to package directions to aldente'. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse.
2. While the pasta is draining, add all of the remaining ingredients to the pot. Stir and whisk it well until it melts completely. It will become smooth and creamy.
3. When the sauce is completely smooth - about 5 minutes - add in the cooked pasta. Mix well to combine..

Nutrition Facts

Macaroni and Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 585 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23g 35%

Saturated Fat 14g 70%

Cholesterol 71mg 24%

Sodium 1066mg 44%

Potassium 395mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 66g 22%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 5g

Protein 26g 52%

Vitamin A 18.6%

Vitamin C 1%

Calcium 48.9%

Iron 7.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Macaroni and Cheese

I left Grandma Phyllis’s recipe just like she made it here below!

4.8 from 5 votes

Print

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese doesn't make a weekly occurrence in our home. It's saved for special times when you need just an extra amount of love!

Course Pasta

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 533 kcal

Author Grandma Phyllis

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz . box shell or elbow pasta
• 2 cups cubed Velveeta Cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup to 3/4 half & half or whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. In a large stock pot with lots of water (that's been salted)* cook the pasta according to package directions to aldente'. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse.
2. While the pasta is draining, add the butter to the stock pot, when it melts add the cubed Velveeta Cheese & pour the cooked pasta on top.
3. Give it several good stirs. Add 1/2 cup half & half and continue stirring until the cheese melts thru. Season with salt & pepper. If the cheese sauce for the pasta is too stiff, add more milk.
4. That's it, it's done and ready to serve!

Nutrition Facts

Macaroni and Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 533 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 50mg 17%

Sodium 1490mg 62%

Potassium 477mg 14%

Total Carbohydrates 70g 23%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 8g

Protein 26g 52%

Vitamin A 19.2%

Vitamin C 0.2%

Calcium 49.1%

Iron 6.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*How much salt do you put in the water when cooking pasta? When you’re cooking a pound of pasta you should have lots of water – 5-6 quarts, add at least 1 tablespoon – I add a small palm full to the water. It will help flavor the pasta. Also, when you first add pasta to the boiling water, give it a good stir. Stir it several times during the cooking process. Stirring it will help exude the starch which helps keep it light & fluffy!

Macaroni and Cheese – comfort food and cheesy goodness! There’s more polished & healthier versions but I’m keeping it easy & delish!

Creamy Lemon Pasta #MeatlessMonday #30Minute Meal

If you like pasta, be sure to check out my recipe for Creamy Lemon Pasta. it’s one of the most popular recipes on my site – lighter than my Macaroni and Cheese recipe – incredibly easy & delicious!