Mac & Cheese

I made a mac & cheese, I have used this recipe since I can remember and would always cook it with my mom at almost every special occasion. It is a recipe that is important to me but also tastes very good that I would like to share.

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of unsalted butter divided
• ½ cup of all purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (4 cups)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ pound fresh tomatoes (4 small) (optional)
• 1 ½ cups fresh white breadcrumbs (5 slices, crusts removed) (optional)

Materials:

• Whisk
• Large pasta pot/strainer
• Large metal spoon
• Cooking spoon
• Cheese shredder (if necessary)
• Baking pan
• Pots
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Serving spoon

Step 1: Add water to a large pot and wait for it to boil. Anytime along the way add salt to your liking and stir.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Add 1 quart of milk into a medium sized pot on low heat and wait for it to heat up without boiling.

Step 3: While waiting for the water to boil, add 1 stick of butter to a medium sized pot and wait for it to melt.

Step 4: Add 1/2 of all purpose flower into the melted butter and whisk until a thick mixture is made.

Step 5: Pour the milk into the pot with the mixture, add portions at a time to ensure the dissolving of the mixture. (Goal is to dissolve mixture with milk)

Step 6: Add the pasta into the boiling water and stir a bit every few minutes.

Step 7: Add the cheddar cheese and gruyer cheese into the milk mixture, mix cheese with milk until cheese is creamy and melted

Step 8: Butter the entire baking pan to ensure no sticking.

Step 9: Once pasta is almost finished cooking, pour it into the cheese mixture and stir until mixed completely.

Step 10: Once the macaroni and cheese is mixed, pour it into the baking pan carefully and smooth out.

Step 11: Insert the baking pan into the oven at 375F° for 30-35 minutes.

Step 12: Remove the mac and cheese carefully from the oven once time is finished. You can add bread crumbs or tomatoes or any topping if you'd like. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving and enjoying!