Macaroni and Cheese BONANZA!

Yes my three year old asked for macaroni and cheese for his birthday.  

Yes mommy went overboard.  

Basic Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

            1/2 pound elbow macaroni

            3 tablespoons butter

            3 tablespoons flour

            1 tablespoon powdered mustard

            3 cups milk

            1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced

            1/2 teaspoon paprika

            24 ounces sharp cheddar {shredded}

                       

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes.

Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Pizza Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

SAME as Basic plus…

            1 1/2 cups pizza or spaghetti sauce

            Black olives, pepperoni, optional garnish

Directions

Spoon half the Mac n' Cheese into a large casserole dish; spoon pizza sauce around edge of dish.  Spoon remaining Mac n' Cheese into center of pizza sauce.  Garnish top with optional sliced black olives and pepperoni. Top with remaining cheese.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

SAME as Basic plus…

            1 small onion, finely chopped

            2 stalks celery, finely chopped

            3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

            2 cloves garlic, minced

            3/4 cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)

            2/3 cup sour cream 

            1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

            2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, add sour cream and cook until warm about 1 more minute.

Spread half of the macaroni in the large casserole dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni. Top with remaining cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Garnish top with blue cheese and parsley.

Chili Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

SAME as Basic plus…

            2 cups chili
            1 small can chopped green chilies

Directions

Spoon 1/2 the Mac n' Cheese into a large deep pie plate; spoon chili around edge of dish. Spoon remaining Mac n' Cheese into center of chili.  Bake for 30 minutes.   Garnish top with chilies. Top with remaining cheese.

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