This post contains affiliate links. For more information, visit my disclosure page

My sweet mother in law who recently turned 90 always made the macaroni and cheese for the family gatherings. You know how it is, everyone has a specialty that they bring each time, something they are famous for. Several years ago we found out it was getting to be to much for her to prepare. We found out in those last few years she was bringing it, she had been going to the grocery and buying a large frozen macaroni and cheese. She would cook it and pour  it into her own baking dish. She didn’t want to admit it was to much for her to make from scratch. Pretty funny. We never realized until my sister in law let the cat out of the bag. She had recently moved here from Texas and didn’t realize it was a mom’s secret. Mom was sick on the holiday and asked my sister in law to cook and bring the macaroni and cheese. Mom told her”Just don’t tell anyone that it’s not home made”. Of course she told us. We laughed so hard. Her sons never let her forget that day.

Ever since that day  I decided to learn how to make homemade macaroni and cheese. I found the perfect recipe in my favorite well worn Betty Crocker cook book. Once you make it yourself you will never buy boxed again. It’s simple and takes few ingredients. I doubled the recipe because it was for a family party.

You’ll need:

8 ounces pasta (cooked)

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese ( I mix it up sometimes using sharp or mild cheddar, colby whatever kind you prefer)

You’ll need for white sauce:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups milk

In a small sauce pan melt butter

 Slowly whisk in the flour

 Whisk until bubbly and smooth.

Slowly whisk in the milk.

 Heat to a boil, constantly stirring.

 In a pan lay half of the pasta sprinkle with 1/2 the cheese. Add remaining pasta.

Top  with the remaining cheese.. Pour the white sauce over the layers of pasta and cheese. I also sprinkle with dried bread crumbs. Any kind will do. I like to use a flavored bread like asiago or last time a used an olive bread. Very tasty and makes the top extra crispy. Cover and cook 30 minutes in a preheated 375 F. oven. Uncover and cook 15 minutes longer.

I was making this for a family party and didn’t get a picture before everyone dug in. Told you it was a good recipe 🙂

I sometimes share at these fabulous parties!