Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This is the real deal.  Definitely not low fat, so if you're on a diet, look away!  My grandma was famous in our family for her homemade macaroni and cheese.  My mom would make her recipe for our birthday dinners.  And any time we got to spend the night at grandma and grandpa's, we could count on having mac and cheese.  It's so special to get to make something for my own family that has so many memories attached to it.  Disclaimer: this is one of those recipes that doesn't have exact measurements for the sauce.  You just need to taste as you go and decide how cheesy you want it. 

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

16 oz package of small elbow macaroni noodles
2 T butter
2 T flour
Dry mustard
2 cups milk
Medium or sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

Cook noodles according to package.  I don't have a big enough casserole dish to use all of the noodles, but I like to have a bit extra to give my kiddos with some spaghetti sauce.  Drain cooked noodles and pour into a casserole dish. 

For the sauce:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan.  Add flour and a dash of dry mustard and mix well with a wire whisk.  Add milk slowly and stir until bubbly and starting to thicken.  This is the "wing it" part.  Add slices of cheese to the sauce and stir to combine.  I would add about 6-8 thick slices, then taste.  If it's cheesy enough, season with salt and pepper. 

Pour sauce over cooked noodles and stir to combine.  Add a handful of grated cheese to the top, then bake at 350 for 20 minutes or so, until bubbly and cheese on top is melted.  This is an easy recipe to make ahead and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.  Baking time will be a little longer if it is cold, though. 

Enjoy!