Quick and Easy Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Pasta and cheese two things in this world that a near and dear to my heart. I love baked mac and cheese but, this time I wanted the creamy gooey kind. You can really only achieve that if you don't bake it. My kids like it better this way also. If you want the ultimate comfort food give this a try. 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Ingredients

16 oz pipette pasta or other small pasta shapes, I had elbows

4 tbsp unsalted butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half

4 oz white American cheese, chopped or torn into pieces

8 oz extra sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded

2 tsp – 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adjust according to your tastes)

1 tsp Kosher salt

1/4 tsp hot sauce (I like Frank’s)

Directions:

In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain well.

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a 4-quart sauce pan over medium heat.  When the butter has melted and has started to bubble, whisk in the flour; cook for 2 minutes whisking constantly.  Gradually whisk in the milk until no lumps remain.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook milk mixture, whisking frequently, until it thickens and bubbles, about 8 minutes.

Remove sauce pan from the heat and by the handful, stir in the cheeses allowing all of the cheese to melt into the sauce before adding more.  Stir in the mustard, salt, and hot sauce.  Return the sauce pan to the heat and stir in the pasta.  Be sure to stir up the sauce from the bottom of the sauce pan and thoroughly coat all of the pasta with sauce.  Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat until heated through.  Serve hot in bowls with spoons. Sprinkle with some more cheddar cheese.

*shared over at Melt In Your Mouth Mondays, Weekend Potluck, Foodie Friday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Recipe Source: Panera