THE BEST Macaroni and Cheese

So here's the deal. I write a lot about health and fitness and share heathy recipes frequently. But once in a while a cheesy comfort food is a must. I had a sweet friend from church who brought our family a meal after having a baby. Our whole family was IN AWE at this macaroni and cheese dish. I definitely had to track down the recipe. It's a keeper for sure!

Kelly's Amazing Mac & Cheese
Salt
Vegetable Oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup flour
6 cups cheddar cheese [feel free to get creative and mix kinds of cheese!]
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water.  Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions.
Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk but don't boil it.
Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in the large pot you cooked your pasta in.  Add the flour when the butter has melted.  Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk.  While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth.  OFF the heat, add the cheeses, one tablespoon of salt and pepper.
Add the cooked macaroni and stir well.
Pour into a baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or serve hot from pot.

So here's the deal. I don't get how this is so different from the usual homemade mac & cheese I have made before.  But IT IS!  My whole family loves it.

The cheese sauce that it makes is quite a bit so it's totally okay to 1/2 that when you're making it.  I do that especially if I can't find a good sale on cheese.  Its just as good, just a little less cheesy/creamy.

I hope you try this one.  You won't regret it!