Creamy Mac & Cheese

Hello there my friends. It’s Gina from Kleinworth & Co. If you are like me you are always looking for Easy Family Dinner Ideas. Seems these days the weeknights are so packed full of so many things that dinner is almost always an afterthought. But that doesn’t mean you have to hit the drive thru. This super easy Creamy Mac & Cheese is ready in about 30 minutes & will have the whole family swooning. I promise! This recipe is my “go-to” when we have company because I can easily double or quadruple it based on how many are coming over. It’s a crowd pleaser.

This is so incredibly creamy – everything you want in a good mac & cheese recipe. It’s heart & filling – the absolute perfect comfort food. Once we had my dad & my step-mom come over with my little brother. We made a quadruple batch of this & wow- was I surprised when there wasn’t anything left in the pot when they headed back to the hotel that night. Cleaned it out. I was floored because with all that mac & cheese it filled my stockpot. Yes we had 8 full size appetites eating that night- but really – the 5 of us reasonably get through only 3/4 of a double batch & that’s if we are really hungry. So when I say that it’s a crowd pleaser – I’m not joking. They go back for thirds.

The bacon in there is definitely optional – but adds so much to the dish!!

It’s my family’s all time favorite thing we make.

Creamy Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

1 pack thick bacon- cooked & chopped (optional)
16 oz elbow macaroni
1 sticks butter
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt (though I usually just sprinkle in the seasonings to taste)
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp minced onions
1 tsp granulated garlic
2 cups low fat milk
2-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook your bacon- cut & set aside.
Prepare pasta noodles to package directions- cooking al dente so they hold up in the mixing process.
Drain & set aside in large covered pot.
Prepare your roux by melting your butter in a large pot over med/high heat.
Once it’s almost melted quickly whisk in your flour & seasonings.
Keep it moving & wait for it to darken slightly & come to a thick creamy texture.
Whisk in your milk & increase your heat to high to get mixture to thicken- keep whisking.
Stir in your cheeses & heat until all cheese is melted & combined – at least 2-3 minutes.
Pour into your pot of noodles- add bacon-
Stir well to combine & coat everything with cheese.
ENJOY!!!

Looking for more Easy Family Dinner Ideas?

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Barbecue Tri Tip Roast

Thanks for visiting with me today! I’ll see you next time!

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