When I think of fall, I think of comfort food. While comfort food means different things to different people, I think many of us can agree that macaroni and cheese is, most definitely comfort food.
Everyone is super busy, especially through the work and school week. We don’t always have the time to make a baked macaroni and cheese from scratch. We need a version that we can make in 15-20 minutes, right on the stove-top that is just as delicious!
So we’ve got a Smoked Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese that is made right on the stove-top for your convenience. It is creamy, cheesy, and has a slight hint of smoked flavor that is perfect for pairing with your favorite smoked BBQ such as BBQ Ribs or Pulled Pork.
Ingredients:
4 cups uncooked macaroni or pasta
Water-enough to cover pasta in a saucepan
½ tbsp salt
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 tbsp flour
1 cup milk (that’s been warmed slightly in the microwave, about 30 seconds)
1 cup shredded smoked medium cheddar cheese (or medium cheddar if you can’t find smoked)
Pinch salt
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepot. Stir in the ½ tbsp salt. Add in the macaroni and lower the heat to a low boil. Cook the pasta until aldente.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter on medium heat in a small saucepot.
Whisk in the flour, 1 tbsp at a time to create a roux. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Whisk in the milk and bring to a low simmer. Add in a small pinch of salt to season. Cook until sauce has thickened, about 5-8 minutes.
Remove the sauce from the heat, and stir in the cheese.
Drain the water from the pasta. Return the pasta to the pan or to a mixing bowl.
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta.
Stir until all of the pasta is coated in the cheese sauce.
How good is that Smoked Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese!?!
- 4 cups uncooked macaroni or pasta
- Water-enough to cover pasta in a saucepan
- ½ tbsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk (that’s been warmed slightly in the microwave, about 30 seconds)
- 1 cup shredded smoked medium cheddar cheese (or medium cheddar if you can’t find smoked)
- Pinch salt
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepot. Stir in the ½ tbsp salt. Add in the macaroni and lower the heat to a low boil. Cook the pasta until aldente.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter on medium heat in a small saucepot.
- Whisk in the flour, 1 tbsp at a time to create a roux. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk and bring to a low simmer. Add in a small pinch of salt to season. Cook until sauce has thickened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat, and stir in the cheese.
- Drain the water from the pasta. Return the pasta to the pan or to a mixing bowl.
- Stir in the cheese sauce until all of the pasta is coated.
- How good is that!?!
