Mels Classic Macaroni Cheese Food

CLASSIC MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook and stir 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; bring to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until melted. Stir in macaroni.
• Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
• Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
• Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
• Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

MEL'S MARVELOUS MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to direction.
• Beat together egg, milk, mustard and salt.
• Saute onion in butter.
• Drain macaroni, add back into large pot. Mix in the milk mixture. Mix in the onion. Mix in 3 cups cheese.
• Pam spray casserole dish.
• Pour pot contents into dish.
• Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
• Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top and a little bread crumbs and broil for 5 minutes.

MEL'S CLASSIC MACARONI & CHEESE RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees 2. Make a roux over medium heat by melting the butter and whisking in the flour. When well mixed, cook roux for 5 minutes, being careful not to brown it. 3. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the diced ham. Cook until golden brown. Remove h am and set aside. 4. In same pot, add onions and garlic and cook covered until onions are translucent. 5. Add half of the roux and stir well. Add the milk and cream. Whisk the mixture until lumps disappear. 6. Add bay leaves, nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. 7. Simmer for 10 minutes. If the mixture does not start to thicken, add a bit more roux. Mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. 8. When mixture is thick, it is ready. 9. While you're waiting; prepare the macaroni al dente. 10. In a large mixing bowl, combine the macaroni, ham, cheese and the cream sauce. Mix well. 11. Pour mixture into large baking dish. Remove bay leaves. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, then drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil. 12. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.