If It's Friday, It's Pasta

Friday's is pasta day at my house.  I am usually recovering from a busy week and want something easy to prepare to start the week-end.

Pasta is quick, easy, inexpensive,  and  something you can make ahead of time, freeze, and enjoy later.

Today, I am making macaroni and cheese.  I have loved macaroni and cheese ever since I was a kid.  It is one of my kids  favorites, too. I experimented around with different cheeses and pastas to come up with our family favorite.  This recipe has been a favorite at pot lucks, youth group functions, and my kids study groups.

    

Four Cheese Macaroni

Ingredients

    * 12 ounces dry large elbow macaroni

    * 3 tablespoons butter

    * 3 tablespoons flour

    * 2 cups milk

    * 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder

    * 1-teaspoon salt

    * ½ teaspoon pepper

    * 1 cup shredded Dubliner cheese

    * 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

    * 1 cup grated Velveeta cheese

    * Topping:

    * ¼ cup cheese bread breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs

    * 1-tablespoon butter melted

    * ¼ cup shredded Mexican Cheese

   

   

Directions

    * Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    * 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain in colander and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

    * 2. In a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add flour to melted butter and whisk together until combined. Cook for 2 minutes. Add onion powder, salt, pepper and incorporate well.

    * 3. Stir milk into the butter and flour mixture. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil stirring frequently.

    * 4. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

    * 5. Stir in the Dubliner cheese a little at a time being sure all has melted before adding more.

    * 6. Stir in the mild cheddar cheese a little at a time being sure all has melted before adding more. Repeat with the Velveeta cheese.

    * 7. Add macaroni to the cheese mixture and stir until well coated

    * 8. Grease a 1-½ qt round baking dish.

    * 9. Pour macaroni and cheese into the baking dish.

    * 10. In a small bowl combine the melted butter and the breadcrumbs. Mix until well coated.

    * 11. Top the macaroni with the breadcrumbs, then top with the Mexican cheese.

    * 11. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

    * 12. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer or until bubbly.

 Yield: serves 6