Baked Mac & Cheese

This is a fairly intense recipe. You need to prepare the ingredients beforehand so you are able to move along to the final baking without delay.

• 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
• roux:
  
  • 5 TBL margarine, melted in saucepan
  • 2 TBL flour, stir until pale brown
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 cup milk, stir constantly until thickened
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth, stir in, then set aside off heat
• 1/2 pound (8 oz) grated cheddar cheese in large mixing bowl
• optional: cubed ham or sliced hot dog

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1. Prepare the add-ons, slice a hotdog or cube the ham.



2. Ready the macaroni: draw about 2 qts water in saucepan, lightly salt, and have dry macaroni measured and ready to begin boiling.



3. Prepare cheese in large mixing bowl: Grate cheese into large mixing bowl. Have plate ready to place on top of mixing bowl to keep things warm.
4. Prepare oven casserole dish: Grease an oven-proof dish. Preheat oven to 400 deg. F
5. Start macaroni: bring water for macaroni to boil. Add macaroni and boil about 7 minutes.



6. Start roux: melt margarine in a small saucepan. Add flour. Brown flour, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.



7. Add mustard, salt, and stir in milk. Heat until milk thickens, about 5 minutes.



8. Add chicken broth. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and cover for later.



9. When macaroni is done, drain and pour over cheddar in mixing bowl. Cover bowl with plate if there is a delay in having the roux ready.



10. Add hot dogs or ham. Add roux. Mix thoroughly. Transfer into oven-proof casserole dish.



11. Bake uncovered in 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until just starting to brown on the top.



12. Remove from oven, cover and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Oct 2012