Learn to Cook with a Classic

Starting a new year can remind people that going back to basics is a good idea.  That is especially true when learning to cook.  Deciding to learn the skill of cooking for yourself or your family is the first step.  Beginning with a recipe that is simple and basic is the next.

SO.......the simple, basic and tasty American classic.....mac and cheese!

There are MANY macaroni and cheese recipes out there.  This recipe uses a simple white sauce, so you need only a few ingredients to make it for dinner.

Classic Mac and Cheese

1 box pasta shells, medium size

  4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

1 cup panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

Fill a saucepan with about 4 quarts of water, season with a bit of salt and put on the stove to boil.

Follow the instructions on the box of pasta for boiling time.  In this recipe, I used Barilla medium shells.

While the pasta is boiling, start making the white sauce:

 In another saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter on medium heat, but watch carefully so it will not burn (don't let it turn brown).

Once the butter is melted, stir in 4 tablespoons flour and keep stirring until all the flour is incorporated.

If you are in doubt, or the pasta is starting to boil over, or something is distracting you, take the pan off the heat; it will wait until you are ready to finish.

Let the flour mixture "boil" just a bit to let the flour completely melt into the butter and the mixture is smooth.

Slowly pour in two cups of milk and continue stirring.  If there are lumps, use a whisk to stir and bring the mixture to an easy, slow boil for about 1 minute.  You will see the sauce getting thicker.

Take off the heat and add 1 cup (or more if you like) grated cheddar cheese to the sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.

By now the pasta should be done.  Drain the pasta and pour it into a bowl.  Pour the cheese sauce on top of the pasta and stir to mix together.  If you are in a hurry, you can eat the mac and cheese like this.

If you want BAKED mac and cheese (much more the comfort food we love), add bread crumbs on the top and bake it in the oven until the mac and cheese is bubbly.

To do this, put the mac and cheese mixture into a greased dish.  Put 1 cup Panko bread crumbs and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese into a small bowl and mix together with you hands.  

Sprinkle on top of the mac and cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbling around the edges and the bread crumbs are getting a bit browned.

VS.

Which would you rather eat tonight?