Macaroni and Cheese Made from Scratch

Macaroni and Cheese made from scratch is a hearty comfort food, and it isn't that hard to make. Follow the directions below for a delicious, creamy macaroni and cheese dish, with cheese oozing from the noodles with every bite. You will need the following ingredients.

16 oz. box of Rigatoni noodles
(you can also use smaller noodles, like penne or ziti, but you want something large enough for the cheese sauce to get inside of).
6 Tablespoons margarine
4 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
4 cups milk
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
16 oz. package of American cheese, cubed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Boil water in a large pot. (Rigatoni calls for 5 quarts of water to cook the whole box of noodles, for example). Add 2 teaspoons of salt and a Tablespoon of cooking oil to the water. The salt helps the water to boil and the oil keeps the noodles from sticking together. When the water is boiling, add the noodles, stir them, and let them boil for a minute less than the directions say for the kind of noodles you are using. Drain, and set aside.

While the water is boiling, finely chop the onion and cube the cheese. Set aside.

Begin melting the margarine in a dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. While it is melting, combine the flour, salt and pepper. When the margarine begins to bubble slightly, stir in the flour mixture to make a paste. Add the milk, and begin stirring, getting all around the bottom edge, and across the middle until the milk is combined smoothly with the flour and butter paste. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to boil and thicken. Add the onion and cheese cubes; stir until the cheese is completely melted. Stir the cooked, drained noodles in to the cheese sauce until thoroughly combined. Turn into a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes and serve warm.

For a simple alternative, add the following:

Fry and drain 1 pound ground hamburger meat. Combine with one bottle of barbecue sauce. When you are ready to put the macaroni and cheese in the casserole dish, only put half in. On top of the half, spread the bbq mixture, then add the other half of the macaroni and cheese to cover. Bake as above. (You might need to use a larger casserole dish, or bake some of the mac and cheese separately in a small baking pan so it won't spill over in the oven).