I love macaroni and cheese. Of the homemade variety. Like this one I made last December. Yes, it really has been since the beginning of December since I've made Macaroni and Cheese. Grumpy just doesn't like my all sharp cheddar mac & cheese dish - but I totally love it (so do my kids and everyone else I know!). Grumpy grew up on the boxed stuff. I just cannot eat it.
When he wants me to buy mac and cheese in a box for him, he want's the Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original. I just have one question. What on earth is wrong with my Grumpy when it comes to Mac & Cheese!!?! Sigh.
So, because I wanted mac & cheese, and because while browsing through my Best of Cooking Light cookbook I saw a recipe that actually called for Velveeta, I decided to try this recipe. It didn't call for the bread crumbs (or crushed cracker topping like mom always did) and I was a little worried I wouldn't be happy with it. But, it turned out great even without my breaded topping.
Classic Two-Cheese Macaroni
The Best of Cooking Light, page 123
1/4 cup flour
2-1/2 cups 1% milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, divided
6 ounces light processed cheese (such as Velveeta Light), cubed
6 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 3 cups uncooked)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking Spray
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly spoon flour into a dry m easuring cup, level with a knife. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring frequently. Stir in 2/3 cup cheddar cheese and processed cheese, and cook 3 minutes or until cheese melt, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in macaroni and salt.
Spoon into a 2 quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 9 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup)
Calories: 260
Fat: 7.5 grams
Fiber: 1.3 grams
WW Points: 6
This looks fabulous!! I'm totally with you: I'm all about the homemade stuff. It's sooo delicious (so much better than that boxed stuff). Man, this is a comfort food that I could eat at any hour of any day. Yum!
ReplyDeleteMy husband usually turns up his nose at mac and cheese, but maybe he would like this recipe. I love that it only has 260 calories!
ReplyDeleteI only eat homemade mac and cheese, too! How did Grumpy like this version? It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteDid Grumpy enjoy this one? It looks outstanding. Now I am craving some! So good!!
ReplyDeleteHe MUST love this! I tried the boxed stuff & didn't care for it either!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a shells and cheese guy too, but I know he would love this! It looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMac 'n cheese is one of my favorite things ever. This looks so creamy and yummy!
ReplyDeleteDid Grumpy like it with the velveeta in it Shelby? It doesn't look like it has any in it. I love homemade mac and cheese, espicially with breadcrumbs on top! My sil makes mac and cheese with longhorn and puts italian bread crumbs on top, it's so darn good!
ReplyDeleteI love mac and cheese (only I use nutritional yeast). My dad is the same way, he prefers Kraft Dinner over anything made in the oven, weirdo!
ReplyDeleteHomemade mac and cheese is the best! Its looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up on both kinds and will happily eat both kinds. So will my kids I am embarrassed to admit. :) My mom has always put a tad of Velveeta into her homemade, btw.
ReplyDeleteMy family loves the shells and cheese store bought stuff too, but I prefer homemade mac and cheese. Your recipe looks delicious! I'm going to definitely give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I make it, too!! My husband loves the combo of the sharp cheddar with the velveeta -- I also use the light velveeta and you can't taste a difference! Mmmm I haven't made it in about a month and might have to make it soon!
ReplyDeleteI add a little bit (1 tsp.) dry mustard to the sauce and just a pinch of white pepper, too.
:D
Those pictures are amazing.
Oh Shelby, you have my mouth watering. I love that it's lower in fat and calories but still filled with cheesy goodness. Excellent recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious. I can't believe how low calorie it is. WOW!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up on the Velveeta Shells and Cheese... but once you make your own, you never look back. This looks like a good substitute for Grumpy - we all want to know - did he like it?
ReplyDeleteAt four thirty this morning I was staring at your pictures and wanting Mac & Cheese!!! Looks delish!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I'm making this for dinner tomorrow! It looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I'm all for the homemade Mac & Cheese - trying to get my kids to eat it is a different story - they all want the boxed stuff - hubby likes the homemade. Thanks for the recipe. Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteGrumpy and my seven year old have the same palate!
ReplyDeleteBut you know what sounds good? Velveeta mac & Cheese with crushed goldfish crackers as the breaded topping.
can't remember the last time I had mac & cheese :( Yours looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, nothing says warm and homey like mac and cheese. We should stick with individual portions, so not to go overboard!
ReplyDeleteYum! believe it or not my son would rather eat Kraft than my mac and cheese...disgraceful , right?
ReplyDeleteGosh, that looks so good - so much better than the boxed stuff. I like that it's not "that" fattening too!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good. I love how the calories and nutritional info are attached!
ReplyDeleteMac and cheese is my number one comfort food! Coincidentally I made some yesterday, and I put Pepper Jack in it, with Edamame. So good.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking mac and cheese with our Easter dinner. this is a great version!
ReplyDeletethat looks so yummy, you are making me hungry!
ReplyDeleteMy one son can eat mac and cheese for breakfast lunch and dinner! I like it wiht the flour milk sauce too. So nice and creamy that way.
ReplyDeleteMacaroni and cheese is my ultimate comfort food. I have made it in all of its many variations but my favorites always include liberal amounts of sharp cheddar. And having grown up in a household in which my father worked for Kraft Foods, we did have the boxed kind, which as a kid I loved. But once I tasted the real thing, I was hooked. Tell Grumpy to snap out of it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! I had to laugh while reading about your husband not liking the sharp cheddar and preferring Velveeta Shells and Cheese, my husband does like sharp cheddar mac & cheese from scratch (but don't try to add in any other cheeses, a topping, or use any pasta other than elbows) BUT the only box kind he will is is Kraft powdered original. He will not touch any of the velveeta, isn't that silly? Of the boxed variety I personally prefer velveeta to powdered cheese, oh-well. Sorry for the long comment, this post really made me smile and laugh thinking about how we try to please picky husbands :)
ReplyDeleteMay I have more, please?
ReplyDeleteThat looks sooooo delicious! I love that you mixed your extra-sharp Cheddar with his Velveeta -- I guess marriage is really all about compromise :)
ReplyDeleteI love making everything homemade... yet I love the box mac with the powder... haha no clue what is wrong with me!! I may have to give this a try though ;)
ReplyDeleteMac & cheese...mmmmm! Yours looks heavenly!
ReplyDeleteYUMMY and that is a good point value for something that really sounds and looks so very hearty and good!! Thank you so much for sharing....
ReplyDeleteYum yum. I actually perfer no toppng on my mac and cheese
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is the same way. He totally loves the boxed stuff. I found a recipe though, that he actually likes. I was sooo surprised. I can't wait to make it again! I love, love, love, mac and cheese.
ReplyDeleteOh, you're killin' me w/ the mac and cheese recipe. I love the stuff. Hey, at least it's from CL!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so cheesy and creamy, yum! I didn't know their was such a thing as Velveeta light. I love the way it melts.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just made this and linked you. Thanks so much for this recipe :)
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