Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese is one of those dishes that everyone loves!  Well, there is one person that I know that won't eat it.  I KNOW!  Those of you that know me know who this is.  The rest of you will love this recipe for Mac & Cheese.  I love that there are so few ingredients.  Here they are.

Ingredients:

1 Cup "whole" milk (I know for some of you that is a dirty word)

8 Ounces of Pasta (I love bowtie pasta)

1 Cup of Evaporated Milk

2 Tbs of Unsalted Butter

3 Tbs of Flour

1/4 tsp of Paprika

1/4 tsp of Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to taste

6 oz of Gruyere

You know how I love my Staub.  I use the .25 quart size enameled cast iron cocottes for this.  Then you have individual servings for your guest.  This recipe makes 4 servings.

Yes, it's as delicious as it looks.  I couldn't wait for dinner.  I had to start eating it once it was cool enough.  OMG!

First things first.  Cook the pasta in boiling water and strain.  I like to salt the water so the pasta in infused with a light salt flavor otherwise I find that you can't seem to get enough salt on the pasta after the fact.

Bring to a boil the evaporated milk and whole milk and set aside.

Melt the butter over low heat and whisk the flour into the butter and whisk over the low heat for 5 minutes.  The flour will evenly blend with the butter and form a smooth sauce.  Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk mixture until smooth.  Return to medium heat.  Add the paprika, nutmeg, salt and pepper.  Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens.  About 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat and add the pasta and 3/4 of the cheese.  Mix well until the pasta is covered completely.

Divid up into buttered cocottes and cover with the remaining cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and lightly brown on the top.

You will not be disappointed in this Mac & Cheese!!!!!!