Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of elbow pasta
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 cups of milk
  • 2 1/2 cups of half and half
  • 4 cups of shredded of medium cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. 2 Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the box and rinse with cold water.
  3. 3 Combine all cheeses together and set aside.
  4. 4 Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  5. 5 Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Mixture will look like very wet sand. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often.
  6. 6 Slowly pour in the half and half, while constantly stirring until smooth.
  7. 7 Continue to heat over medium heat, whisking very often, until thickened to a very thick consistency.
  8. 8 Turn the heat on low and stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
  9. 9 In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the top with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese.
  10. 10 Bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.