What do you think of when you are hankering for your favorite comfort food? When you just want to sit down and dig in to something that makes you happy to eat. Maybe it even evokes special memories. For many people it is a plate full of warm-your-tummy, creamy, homemade macaroni and cheese.
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On a recent, rainy and blustery day, our daughter, Abbey had the same hankering and requested baked macaroni and cheese. I served her a big bowlful because I love her and because it makes a mama happy to fill her offspring with comfort food.
It is a great option for little kids too. For holiday meals I make a baked macaroni and cheese casserole because it is one dish I know for sure all of our grandkids will eat, even the picky ones.
I love to top the casserole with thinly sliced tomatoes. Since that is considered totally “yucky” to some, I always leave one side of the pan plain. Or, I bake the macaroni and cheese in individual bowls.
Homemade Macaroni and cheese
Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions. Drain.
Making a roux
Mac and cheese begins by making a roux. A classic roux is a French paste that is made with fat and flour that is used as a thickener.
And, it is very easy to make.
Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Begin making the roux by adding 1/2 cup of butter to a large saucepan over medium heat.
When the butter is melted, use a whisk to blend in 1/2-cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. 
Allow the butter and flour to simmer a minute or two, continually whisking.
Gradually stir in 5-cups of milk.
Cook, whisking constantly until the sauce begins to thicken and mixture begins to boil.
Top with the remaining 2 cups of cheese. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 
Let the dish rest 10 minutes before serving. Nothing fancy here. Just creamy, uncomplicated goodness.
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Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
recipe right from the box of San Giorgio Elbow Macaroni
Recipe makes 8 to 10 servings.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package (1 lb. box) San Giorgio Elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- salt (I use 1 tsp.) and ground black pepper to taste
- 5 cups of milk
- 4 cups (16 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
Cook pasta according to package directions.
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Yum! And your photos are to die for!
Did you bake individual servings in small dishes for this post? I like the idea, even if you didn't! Yum-O!
Amanda
Hi! Can over from Look What I Made with Kara… Wanted to invite you to link up this recipe on my Tasty Tuesday party… the link closes tonight, but you can always come over next week if you miss it. Hope to see you there!
https://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-crunch-cake-and-tasty-tuesday.html
As long as it's not out of a box with powdered cheese I'm a big fan! Yours looks delicious here and I appreciate that it's simply homemade.
This looks so delicious! I will definitely be trying your version of mac and cheese soon. I am visiting from WOW Us Wednesdays – so glad I stopped by. 🙂
This is a great comfort food recipe. Looks yummy, and easy to make.
I am "pinning" this recipe to try – love the tomatoes baked on top, too!
This looks so delicious. Pretty, too!
Barb
Perfect comfort food! My mother made it for us and it remains a treasured memory.
xo
Pat
Perfect comfort food! My mother made it for us and it remains a treasured memory.
xo
Pat
That looks so good! I will have to try this recipe because my boys love mac and cheese. Thanks for sharing!
you've inspired me to make some! 🙂 purely comfort food indeed!
I found your blog through foodgawker.com, and I made the mac and cheese today for lunch. It was so good. I've tried a lot of home made mac and cheese's, just a few last week that I didn't love. This one was perfect, absolutely simple, easy, and so, so good. I used munster cheese because that's all I had.
It's been a while since I've made macaroni and cheese, but now I'm thinking it may be time to change that. This looks delicious and served just the way I like it … with sliced tomatoes on top :).
Thank you so much for your recent visit and kind comments. Your blog is lovely!
Total comfort food! My daughter would be thrilled if she came home from school and saw those. I need to make some, yours looks fantastic!
I love your blog…and that you Love Jesus!
I love mac and cheese, I make it a lot, and our recipes are very similar. But your photos are making me crave it like I'd never heard of it before. (That must be the very definition of a great food blog photo!)
I bet yours is every bit as good as this restaurant
{S’Mac – Irresistible Mac-n-Cheese}
that I recently saw on TV:
https://www.smacnyc.com/
Oh, my goodness! That looks SO yummy! I'm definitely trying this recipe as it seems so uncomplicated and just lets the yummy richness of the cheese shine through. Thank you for posting this – I'm sure my family will love it.
God bless you – Julie
This is a perfect simple dish for those days when I don't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen. Looks yummy! I'm sure my toddler will love it.
Wonderful, simple, comforting mac n cheese and looking so pretty!
Oh it looks so good. I love a good bowl of mac and cheese!!! Hope you had a great day!
Creamy, uncomplicated goodness; that's exactly how I like it! Blessings to you!
I have had a severe craving for macaroni and cheese lately and this just made it worse 🙂 That looks really good
Oh boy, that looks good. I love mac & cheese when it's home-made. I will try this recipe on the weekend. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
Hubby and brother love mac and cheese. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I'll serve it to them one of these cool Autumn days for lunch!