Kim's Baked Macaroni & Cheese
By: Kim Watkins
Published: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 6:56am

Ingredients




2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion, optional
2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry ground mustard, optional
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
8 ounces elbows, uncooked
8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces American cheese, sliced, broken into 2- inch pieces
3 cups broccoli florets, optional
3/4 pound diced cooked ham, optional
2 tablespoons dijon mustard, optional

Preparation

1 Directions: 2 Heat oven to 350°F. In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, add onion. Cook 2 minutes. Add flour, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and seasonings; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Stir cheeses into sauce. In 2-quart baking dish, stir together pasta and cheese sauce. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 3 Broccoli & Cheese Casserole: Prepare recipe as directed; before baking stir 3 cups fresh or frozen tiny broccoli florets into pasta and cheese sauce mixture. 4 Macaroni & Cheese with Ham Dijon: Prepare recipe as directed; before baking, stir .75lb. diced cooked ham and 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard into pasta and cheese sauce mixture. 5 Kim's modifications: 6 Sometimes shallots instead of onion. 7 Sometimes adds 1 clove garlic. 8 Adds extra 1/2 cup of cheese on top. 9 Sometimes sprinkles 1/4 teaspoon paprika on top. 10 Substitutes Wondra Powder for flour. 11 Does not use sliced american cheese, substitutes with another random cheese.

Comments:
Kim Watkins

This is one of my favorite recipes. I am always asked to bring this to family gatherings and picnics. I think I could beat Bobby Flay on Throwdown with this recipe it's so good! :)