That's Far Too Much Macaroni For 2 1/2 Mouths

Facing the dinner options of soba or starvation again I decided to try the homemade macaroni and cheese sooner than anticipated. After noticing the recipe (from the book mentioned in my last post) called for squash (seriously, why?!) I needed to make some alterations and really only followed the book for the amount of cheese to use. Well technically I also followed it for heating times and the amount of macaroni to use, but I feel those are pretty standard so no credit is required. This doesn't photograph that well but take a look.



Recipe for 3 cheese macaroni and cheese (tough economic times, one cheese from the original recipe didn't make the cut) was as follows. Cook one box of macaroni pasta. In a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 cup of butter (that's 4 tablespoons, it's like I'm a magic cooking measurement converting machine), once melted take off heat, add 1/4 cup of flour a dash of pepper and a teaspoon of salt. Slowly add 2 cups of milk (chocolate if you're daring... kidding) and mix until smooth. Return to heat until it boils and let it simmer for a minute before removing from heat. Place the pasta in a dish, pour the flour concoction over the top along with 1 1/3 cup of cheddar cheese, 2/3 cup monterey jack and 1/2 cup of ricotta. Mix it all up to a gooey mess. If you want breadcrumbs on top it was 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs and 1 teaspoon of olive oil mixed and sprinkled over the top. Throw it in the oven at 375 for 20 minutes then finish it off with 3 minutes on broil.

Now how does it compare to the famous Velveeta Shells and Cheese? Hard to say. This recipe made a much lighter dish with a more complex taste (when compared to the boxed kind, not really that complex in the grand scheme of things). The flavor was, as can be expected, much more "organic" then anything you'll get out of a box. I say they both have their place. I typically only eat the boxed kind when I am starving and I don't think this would fill that void. I think this would play a good role in a more balanced meal, even as a side dish at a large gathering/for a holiday/etc. All in all, it's pretty good, but it is just macaroni and cheese, not sure you can expect that to be something epic.

Also worthy of note, I reheated a brownie from the last post for dessert again today (you're judging me again, stop it!) and, more then 24 hours after creation, it reheated incredibly well. Thirty seconds in the microwave and it tasted fresh out of the oven.