Easy Cheesy Mac N Cheese!

Yep, this is it. The staple food in my household! Cam loves it, I love it and Aaron loves it! Even though he was hard to convince him to try it because he lived by the blue box...but eventually he did and hasn't looked back! This has just the right ooey and the perfect amount of gooey! lol I always make a double batch because it is even better the next day! 

Ingredients

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  1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
  4 tablespoons butter
  4 tablespoons flour
  1 cup milk
  1 cup cream ( or half and half to save on calories)
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded ( good quality is important!)
  1/2 cup breadcrumbs, buttered (optional)
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  • Directions
  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
  • In a large saucepan melt butter.
  • Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
  • Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly
  • Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
  • Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes
  • Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
  • Turn off flame.
  • Add macaroni to saucepan and coat with cheese sauce
  • Transfer macaroni to baking dish coated with non stick (8X8 or 9X13 for double batch)
  • If using breadcrumbs sprinkle on top
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown if using bread crumbs
  
  
  (You can also freeze this recipe in zip-lock bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - I generally pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling.
  
  

I use extra sharp white and yellow cheddar because the taste is outstanding! You can try any mixture of cheeses if you like. Pepperjack, monterrey jack, colby...Its up to you, I just prefer the sharpness of cheddar! And Ive found that usually 8 oz ends up being about 2 cups of cheese...but a lil more never hurt anybody!