National Cheese Day Calls for Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese!

So we’re getting ready for National Cheese Day happening on June 4th, and kind of stuck on what to do. We’ve already made a lot of quiches lately, and we can’t just recommend giving your child a huge brick of cheddar. Oh, it’s tempting–but we kind of feel obliged to come up with a proper recipe. A really elaborate pizza didn’t do the trick, either. And then we had the bright idea to come up with a recipe for Macaroni and Cheese! A really complicated recipe for a really special Macaroni and Cheese dish. [photo via allrecipes]

We’re calling it a good idea, of course, because it turns out that even a really complicated recipe for Macaroni and Cheese is pretty easy. We’re still proud to present an alternative to that cheesy goop that we toss into the microwave in those tough little plastic cups that are probably made out of the same stuff used to make space shuttles. This recipe is swiped from Allrecipes.com, and it’s  full of basic, wholesome ingredients that will thrill the kids. And it’s cheesy, folks. Very cheesy…

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into strips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
6. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
7. To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts.
8. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it can be. Depending on your favorites, you can mix and match your preferred cheeses for a unique blend and taste. Using real, fresh cheese is a smart way to go if you’re not in the mood for a mystery cheese powder that night. This kid-friendly recipe will be such a hit that everyone will want seconds–which is okay, because this recipe serves 6.