Monday, June 25, 2012

Unparalleled Mac & Cheese

It has been almost a month since the kids have been out of school for the summer and it has been that long since I have even looked at this blog, my favorite blogs, pinterest, and anything else online.  Can you believe it?!?!

We have been so busy running around and mostly enjoying each other that I just haven't had a lot of extra time.  I really think it's the longest I have ever gone without being "hooked".  I do miss connecting and getting inspiration, and sharing it with you.  So, here I am...I'm back!

Are you and your family lovers of pasta, particularly the childhood favorite, Macaroni and Cheese?  I am, it's comfort food to me, and of course, my kiddos love it too.  However, they have complained in past if it doesn't come out of a box.  Imagine!  It's goodbye to those days and hello to this unparalleled mac & cheese recipe.  It's the best I have ever made, according to all that have tried it, including my kiddos!  Seriously good, super easy, and quick! It doesn't get much better than that.


 

UNPARALLELED Mac & Cheese


Ingredients:
2 cups dried organic pasta
2 ¼-2 ½ cups milk (I used organic raw whole milk)
6 oz. organic cream cheese                        
4-6 oz. organic cheese of your choice, shredded by hand (I usually use white cheddar, but change it up based on your family’s liking)
1 tsp salt
1-1 ¼ tsp organic Dijon mustard
Directions:
In a small saucepan, add pasta and milk. Bring to simmer, and then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until pasta is al dente or soft, stirring frequently and ensuring milk does not boil.
Turn heat off; add cheeses, salt and mustard, and stir to combine. If not creamy enough, add milk a little at a time, and stir.
As a side dish this makes enough for 4-6 people with no leftovers.
NOTE:
Our family prefers to use elbows for this; we have used other shapes of pasta such as shells, and we thought the consistency of the elbows was much better.
We try to use mostly organic foods at our home, feel free to use what you’ve got around the house!

I hope you try it out for yourself!  It's a super versatile recipe that can be changed to your liking.  The idea of cooking pasta in milk had never before occurred to me and it has fantastic results even when making a non-cheese dish with a creamy sauce.  It just seems to richen the dish a bit.

Don't forget to head over to Macaroni and Cheesecake and check out this adorable blog food blog!  She has a ton of wonderful and mouth watering recipes and of course, she was the one that brought me to this fabulous UNPARALLELED Mac and Cheese!

Happy Monday!  Have a great week!