Monday, January 12, 2009

{The Best Macaroni & Cheese}

And it comes from the old standby - the Joy of Cooking. {You can see how well-worn my copy is!} I've been craving some good mac & cheese lately, probably due to the horrendous blizzard/wind storm going on outside right this moment. Sure, sometimes a box of Kraft will do the trick, but when I want the real thing I always use the Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese recipe in my well-used white cookbook.

It's so amazing. Honestly. After you read this, take the recipe & make it.
Immediately. You will not be disappointed.

Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese {from Joy of Cooking}

Bring to a rolling bowl in a large pot:
12 cups water
1 T. salt
Add & cook just until tender:
2 Cups elbow macaroni {8 ounces}
Drain & return to pot. Add:

4 T. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Stir until well blended. Add & stir together until smooth:
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
12 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 t. dry mustard dissolved in 1 t. water
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. ground red pepper {or to taste}


Set pot over very low heat &, stirring constantly,
bring mixture to the 1st bubble of a simmer, 5 to 10 minutes.
It should thicken noticeably. This may take several minutes.

Increase the heat slightly if the sauce is still soupy after 5 minutes,
but watch it very carefully.
Do not overheat or sauce will curdle!

Serve immediately & enjoy!


Voila! The finished result with some yummy grilled chicken!
Now, I believe you have some Mac & Cheese to make...

17 comments:

Sweet Soft Southern Thrill said...

Weird! I was totally craving some blue box for dinner. This looks amazing, though! I may have to go the extra mile...

Barefoot in the Park said...

looks delish!!

Anonymous said...

That looks so good! I want your recipe for the grilled chicken too!

Lacey said...

I LOVE mac and cheese! It's so comforting...homemade is definitely the best. I can't wait to try out this recipe!

Mrs. Ruby said...

These look absolutely DELICIOUS!!!
Oh, and I'm so happy to meet a fellow mid-westerner. I may be in the northeast...but I'm a mid-western gal at heart!!!

Kate said...

Bookmarking the recipe right now!

Callie Grayson said...

mmmm, love mac and cheese! it looks yummy

Brittney said...

Yum! I will have to try this recipe! I am always looking for new ones!

Aartee said...

I will have to try this out it looks so yummy!

ashley said...

wow that looks good! it's making me incredibly hungry!

SouthernBelleJM said...

That looks so yummy! My boyfriend uses Joy's recipe for Banana Nut Bread, and it is soooooooooooo good! I guess I'll have to try this recipe this week:)

Lulu said...

LOVE me some Joy of Cooking! That looks beyond delicious... Kudos!
xoxo,
Lulu

*Pink Preppy Party Girl* said...

All I can say is...Yum! Looks delicious.

Jules said...

FUCKING delicious. Cannot wait to make it once I have a kitchen bigger than a port-o-potty.

Sarah said...

mac and cheese is one of my all time favorite comfort foods!!!! uuuhhh, it just makes me happy!

Tippy said...

YUM!!!! I love mac and cheese!

Anonymous said...

OOoOoOohh, this looks so good! I'm already a tad obsessed with mac and cheese... this might be bad.