Mac and Cheese

Halloween is tonight. It's a good time for warm comfort foods like mac and cheese. Here's an easy recipe that is a winner every time.

It calls for white cheddar, although friends have substituted other cheeses in this same recipe. I originally found this recipe in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food, but I've made some upgrades to it. (Sorry Martha!)

1 1/4 cups milk
2 tsp melted butter
8 ounces cream cheese
1 pound grated white cheddar cheese (4 cups)
1 cup of parmesan-romano cheese
8 ounces elbow macaroni
2/3 cup Progresso Italian style breadcrumbs
Salt/pepper

Preheat oven to 400.

In a small bowl, toss the 2 tbs melted butter with bread crumbs. Then add 1/4 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup parmesan-romano. Set aside for later.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni until al dente, according to package instructions; drain.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; add cream cheese, cut into cubes, stir until melted, 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the cheddar until melted, 5 minutes. Add parmesan-romano cheese. Add the cooked pasta, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper; toss to combine.

Divide the mixture among prepared dishes. Sprinkle the top with the breadcrumb mixture. Bake until bubbling, 30-40 minutes. I like to broil for 3-4 minutes to brown the breadcrumbs.

Finally, find a big spoon and eat and eat and eat. Don't share with anyone (except me). Tell everyone else that not sharing is part of the recipe.

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