Macaroni and Cheese

Scratch Macaroni and Cheese

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We all remember the prepackaged, blue-boxed Mac N Cheese concoction our mothers in the 1980s whipped up for us as kids because we wouldn't eat anything except that and chicken nuggets. For many, it's a memory food. It's simple, quick, and doesn't cost much.

True to pattern, I began making that Mac N Cheese for my own sons early on... that is, until I read the ingredients on the back of the box! The list went on and on with words I couldn't even pronounce. It was concerning at first but I became adept at ignoring the list for a while.

One day, I decided to Google each of those words I couldn't quite place on the food pyramid. What I found shocked me! Petroleum! Isn't that what we pour into cars for fuel? Anticaking agents that are used in automotive and submarine engines--only in those circiles, they come with a warning label.

After only four or five, I decided I was finished feeding chemicals to my kids! But could I find a quick, easy, and cheap alternative?

This is just such an alternative! It is tasty, simple, takes only five ingredients, and quick!

Let's make it!

Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

• 1 tsp salt

• 8 oz angel hair pasta or elbow macaroni noodles

• 1 stick butter

• 1 cup half-and-half

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (no powder)

• ¼ tsp pepper

• ¼ tsp cornstarch

• ¼ cup cold water

Macaroni and Cheese Directions

1. Fill a large stock pot with chicken broth or water. If using water, add 1 tsp salt to prevent overflow and add flavor to the noodles. Boil the noodles per package instructions and drain.

2. In a saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter on medium heat.

3. Once butter is melted, turn down to low heat and add 1 cup half-and-half, ¼ tsp pepper, and 1 cup grated parmesan cheese. Stir until well melted.

4. If you’d like a creamier, thicker sauce, mix ¼ tsp cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water. Pour into the cheese mix and stir well.

5. Remove from heat and mix with the drained noodles!