Every kid’s favorite mac & cheese.

• 1 lb large elbow or large shell pasta
• 5 tbsp butter
• 6 tbsp flour (all purpose)
• 1.5 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 3.5 cups milk
• 16 ounces of shredded cheese about 2/3 extra sharp cheddar and 1/3 monterey jack
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: homemade breadcrumbs or canned fried onions.
• Adult options: 1 can of chopped hot green chilis or chopped jalapeños.

1. Cook pasta as directed on package. drain. Set aside.
2. In same pot, melt butter on medium low. Add flour, mustard and onion powder. Whisk while cooking flour until very, very slightly browned. Pour in milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Cook on medium heat whisking frequently without letting it boil. it will get thicker. When it coats the back of the spoon and you can draw a line through it, it’s thick enough. This takes about 5-10 minutes. (see picture below). Don’t walk away during this step.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in cheese by the handful letting the cheese melt. Extra sharp cheddar may separate and make it a little grainy. The monterey jack is to combat that, but sharp cheddar tastes better, so I deal with a little graininess for flavor.
5. Stir in pasta.
6. OPTIONAL: Pour into a 9×13 casserole and top with breadcrumbs or french fried onions and broil until golden. Homemade breadcrumbs: pulse old bread in a food processor or blender a few times to make small breadcrumbs, but still chunky. Toss with melted butter and top the mac and cheese. You’ll use about 8 slices of bread. Works best of bread is a little dry. My kids prefer no breadcrumbs, so I rarely do this.
7. OPTIONAL FOR ADULTS: Drain can of chopped hot green chilis or jalapeños and stir in at the end. You can buy mild if spice is your enemy. I’m not allowed to bring anything other than this to work potlucks.
8. Serve and enjoy!

I’ve adapted this from multiple recipes. My kids’ friends have literally texted me asking me to make this so my kids can bring them the leftovers, and I now have to make this for every party, whether or not I’m hosting.

So that’s my first recipe! Hope you enjoy. And if this is one of my kids reading this, I love you!