Mac & Cheese Bake

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There’s nothing more American than a good macaroni and cheese recipe like our Mac & Cheese Bake. It is so cheesy and so much better tasting–not to mention filling–than the prepackaged boxed stuff. Your kids will be raving about this dinner recipe for nights to come. It takes just a little bit of effort, but it is so worth adding to your mealtime routine.

Another great macaroni dish is One Pot Chili Pasta. It’s great for when you don’t want a bunch of dishes to clean.

One of the time-saving benefits to this meal is that you can make it and freeze ahead of time. It makes a great freezer meal. Just put everything in a a heavy foil baking pan, cover tightly with tin foil and freeze until you’re ready to use. Pop in the oven at 375 F for 1 hour or until warmed through when you’re ready to use it. Makes a great meal for when you forget about company coming over or you just don’t want to cook one evening.

Mac and Cheese Bake

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
• 1 stick butter
• 1 scant cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
• 10 oz polish sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch coins (optional)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup Panko or Japanese style bread crumbs

Directions

In a medium skillet, melt butter. Add flour in 3 parts using a whisk stirring constantly to combine with butter. Continue whisking constantly and slowly add milk. Turn heat down to low. Add cream cheese and gently move it around with a spoon until it melts and combines with mixture. Mixture will be very thick. Turn off heat. Add shredded cheese and fold/stir to combine until creamy and cheesy. Take cheese sauce mix and now add to cooked and drained macaroni noodles. Stir until well combined. Place into a baking dish  and top with Panko. Bake at 350 F for about 20-25 minutes, or until breading turns golden brown. Serves 8 as a main dish. Half this recipe if you don’t want leftovers.

Optional

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Add chopped onion and saute for about 2 minutes. Add sausage and continue to saute until sausage browns and onions are translucent. Add to cooked and drained macaroni noodles and proceed with the recipe above.

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