Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese (or in this case Penne and Cheddar).

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cup cheese or cheese blend
• 8 oz, (about half a 1 lb box of penne or noodle of choice)
• Season to taste, I use salt, pepper, garlic and a touch of chili powder.

Directions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined. Pour in milk, stirring constantly as it thickens.  (This is your "white sauce")
2. Set water to boil for noodles.  I add about 1 tbsp oil to the water to keep the noodles from sticking to each other.
3. Add cheese to white sauce.  Stir in well and keep on low heat. Stir periodically while the noodles are boiling. (Now you have a yummy cheese sauce.)
4. Add noodles to the water and boil for about 7-10 minutes depending on how firm/soft you like your noodles.
5. Strain noodles and combine cheese sauce and noodles.

Here you can either put your mac and cheese in an oven safe dish, sprinkle with a little more cheese and bake for about 20 min @ 325 or serve.  I like to serve mine with a light dusting of chili powder.

Hope you enjoy!