Certainly! Here's a basic recipe for macaroni and cheese:
*Ingredients:*
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese of your choice)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: breadcrumbs for topping
*Instructions:*
1. *Cook the Macaroni:*
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2. *Make the Cheese Sauce:*
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns golden and starts to smell nutty.
3. *Combine Ingredients:*
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook the sauce until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
4. *Mix Everything Together:*
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is evenly coated.
5. *Serve:*
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optionally, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top for added crunch.
- Serve hot and enjoy your homemade macaroni and cheese!
This recipe serves about 4 people as a main dish or more as a side dish. Feel free to customize by adding ingredients like cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or different types of cheese for variety!