Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

By campbellkid36

To me this is the only "real" Macaroni & Cheese recipe. It's from my 1946 edition of "Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking School Cookbook". With time on it's side - this recipe is hands down the best for traditional, homemade baked macaroni & cheese - comfort food.

Please Note: If you use CHEAP CHEESE you will end up with a BLAND and FLAVORLESS DISH!

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded good quality
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, buttered

Details

Servings 1
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 40mins
Adapted from food.com

Preparation

Step 1

1 Preheat oven to 400°F. 2 Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside. 3 In a large saucepan melt butter. 4 Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended. 5 Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly. 6 Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly). 7 Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes. 8 Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts. 9 Turn off flame. 10 Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce. 11 Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish. 12 Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. 13 Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. 14 (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.