Frugal Recipe: Homemade Mac and Cheese

Recall if you will when I suggested ways to salvage spoiled milk. Well, I told you I’d post a few frugal recipes which do just that and this yummy homemade mac and cheese is one of them.

I’ve explained in the past that we make real food at our house, both because it’s a more frugal choice and it just tastes so much better than store bought! Boxes of Kraft or any other instant mac and cheese are never to be seen in our cupboards, so that means real honest to goodness macaroni and cheese and sometimes I make it simply because we have some milk which is getting a tad old. Somehow it doesn’t ruin the taste at all, but you can use fresh milk, too. This recipe is easy so fear not! I’ll show you exactly how to make it.

What you’ll need:

1 lb elbow pasta (In truth you can use which ever pasta you have on hand. Small shells is a favorite around here)

Two tablespoons butter or olive oil

Two tablespoons all-purpose flour

~3 cups milk

8oz shredded cheddar

8oz Monteray jack (You can use any type of cheese to suit your taste. I just love Monteray jack because i can always find it on sale. Yay!)

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato sauce (Optional to give a little color)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta as you normally would. When the desired doneness, drain and place in  9x13inch pyrex baking dish. Set aside.
2. In saucepan melt butter.
3. Stir in flour and spices and cook until thick paste forms stirring constantly. This is what the French call a rue—don’t ask me why!
4. Add milk and stir to dissolve rue. Cook until thickened, stirring frequently ~5-10 minutes.
5. Add shredded cheese. Stir until melted.
6. Pour over noodles and stir to coat all noodles.
7. If desired, sprinkle a bit more cheese on top.
8. Bake in 350℉ oven for 20-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

I know it’s not as easy as popping it in the microwave, but gosh-darn-it, this is a million times better than instant.  For an added touch  toss in some leftover bits of ham, chicken or turkey and/or any leftover veggies. Extra yummy and you can use up some leftovers for less food waste. Talk about frugal! This recipe for homemade mac and cheese is the best. Try it and you’ll see.

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Glory Lennon learned her way around a kitchen by watching her mom. She likes to cook and likes to do it frugally, too, and that means not wasting even a drop of milk. You can find yummy recipes in the kitchen at Glory’s Garden.