Ooey Gooey Cheddar Mac n' Cheese
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: July 4, 2012

No Fourth of July celebration is complete without a steaming pan of ooey gooey cheddar mac n' cheese.  Mac n' cheese is always a crowd pleaser and with great ingredients it even tastier.  Feel free to add in crumbled bacon, sauteed mushroom, or caramelized onions.  This recipe for cheddar mac n' cheese is straight forward and delicious.
Cheddar Mac n' Cheese
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
	2 tablespoons butter
	3 tablespoons flour
	1 1/2 cups milk
	3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
	1/2 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
	1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
	Salt to taste
	1 pound elbow macaroni cooked al dente
Directions:
Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil and butter. When butter melts into the oil, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook, about 3 minutes.
Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow the milk to thicken a bit, then stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time. Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne. Add salt to taste.
Add cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place baking dish under a hot broiler and brown the cheddar cheese on top.