Saturday, January 17, 2009

Creamy Mac & Cheese

I did something this week that I have never done before.. I ordered food via mail order! The girls at My Bargain Buddy were all a twitter about the big Hickory farms sale and I was intrigued. The prices definitely couldn't be beat, and I've never had Hickory farms cheese before.. so I was willing to give it a try. Honestly, since Cheese is so expensive in the supermarket I was all about trying what they had to offer for 75% off (Plus MBB had a coupon code for an extra 15% off!) I wound up with Smoked Gouda, Cheddar & Havarti blend, Mission Jack blend, Big barn Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar blend, Jalapeno & Cheddar Blend. There were some summer sausages, crackers, mustard and other assorted goodies in there.. but really I was just interested in the cheese and what I could make with it! I was so happy with what I ordered I went in and ordered some more cheese, lol!! (Hey, I'm all for a good bargain, but when I can get a box of Cheese and meat that was $25 for $3.75 and is gonna make my meals even better, I'm all for it!)

The box arrived at my door on Thursday (I ordered Monday afternoon) and I was so excited, I couldn't wait to open it up and try the goods! Even before it had all arrived I had Mac & Cheese on the brain, so last night I sprung into action with my old stand-by Mac & cheese recipe... the only difference was the blend of cheeses I used.. and it did not disappoint!

Yummmmm!! (the cell phone camera picture does not do it justice.. real camera coming soon)

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Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked Spiral pasta
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheese (I used a mix of cheddar, cheddar & Havarti blend and Jalapeno & Cheddar Blend)
1/2 c. bread crumbs (seasoned or plain)

Directions:
  1. Heat oven to 350°f
  2. Cook pasta as directed on package
  3. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in saucepan over low heat.
  4. Mix together flour, salt, pepper and mustard and add to the melted butter.
  5. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
  6. Remove from heat and whisk in milk
  7. return to the stove and heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
  8. Boil and stir 1 minute
  9. Remove from heat and add cheese, stirring until melted
  10. Drain pasta and gently stir pasta into cheese sauce.
  11. Pour into ungreased 2 Quart casserole.
  12. Top with breadcrumbs and bake 20-25 minutes.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, Hickory Farms! When I was a kid, I remember there were actual Hickory Farms stores in the malls. They used to give samples of the cheese and sausages, too. My Dad and I often ventured inside. I think he used to buy something called the summer sausage (could that be it?). Thank you for conjuring up those fond memories.

irishmuffs said...

this was the best mac and cheese ever. i also used hickory farms cheese and a couple others that i had in the fridge. can't wait to make another batch of it! yummy!