Homemade Macaroni & Cheese. Because orange powder does not equal cheese in real life.

Sooo... Everybody loves some good mac and cheese, right?  The J family is no exception.  However, although zj eats it on occasion, no one at 154 Hidden Court really likes that boxed stuff that comes with the bright orange powdery stuff this is pretending to be cheese.  Does ANYONE really like that stuff?  It's kind of like filler.  You know, like the political section of the newspaper...

Anyway, homemade mac and cheese is easy to make and it's SOOOOOOO much better than the boxed stuff.  Come on.  Try it.  You'll like it.  I promise.

WHAT YOU NEED: 

5 cups cooked macaroni - I like the elbow kind, but I'm a traditionalist.  You won't screw it up TOO badly if you use some other shape.

1/2 stick butter or margarine.  I did not say this was good for you, just that it tastes good.

1 heaping tablespoon of flour.

1 - 1 1/2 cups milk.  Or if you have a deathwish, use cream instead.

2 cups of your favorite shredded cheese.  I usually use a combo of American and  Cheddar.  But any kind will do.

Salt N Peppa - if ya wanna.

WHAT YOU DO:

Cook the macaroni, drain, rinse and set aside.

Meanwhile, in another large pot, melt the butter.  Slowly whisk in the flour.  Let it cook for a minute, whisking the entire time so the flour doesn't burn, brown or stick.  Slowly pour in 1 cup of milk, stirring constantly.  Let it warm up to a bubble, then begin to add in the cheese, a bit at a time.  After all the cheese is added and melted and bubbly, turn the heat all the way down to the lowest of the low and stir in the cooked macaroni.  If it's not gooey enough, add in some more milk, a little at a time.  Season it if you want to.

Eat it up.