Mac and Cheese

I never liked mac and cheese as a kid, my mom always made homemade and all I ever wanted was the fake stuff out of the blue box. But since moving to the south seven years ago I've decided that mac and cheese needed to become a staple at our parties. It seems everyone loves mac and cheese, kids, adults, college age kids, everyone. I went on a quest to find a good mac and cheese recipe, Paula Deen makes a good one, but for some reason mine is always still a bit dry. I spent a day googling mac and cheese recipes last year and finally found a winner. This is a recipe that has been requested numerous times and I'm proud of the tweaking that I've done to make it my own. I've always doubled this recipe, it freezes great! For Simon's graduation I quadrupled the recipe and it still came out awesome. This recipe is for the single version and it serves 6-8.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 16 oz elbow macaroni
9 tablespooons butter
1/2 c smoked Gouda cheese (cubed)
1/2 c shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 c shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 c shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups half and half
8 ounces Velveeta, cubed
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
( I also occasionally add Goat cheese or Pepper Jack cheese for an extra kick)

Directions


Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the oil and the pasta and cook for 8-10 min, or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot. Add 8 tablespoons (one stick) butter to hot noodles, stir. In  a large bowl combine all cheeses, beaten eggs, half and half, stir. Add noodles, mix well. Add salt and pepper and sprinkle some extra cheese on top. Dot with 1 tablespoon remaining butter. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling.

Add the butter to the drained pasta

I love Gouda cheese

I love how it only takes one big bowl 

Look at all that cheese

Mixing it all together, the white chunks are Goat cheese

Pour in the half and half

Add the noodles

Stir

Sprinkle some extra cheese on top

Right out of the oven

Happy New Years

Enjoy