Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I love macaroni and cheese!! Especially when it is baked to perfection. Nothing out of the boxes for me, I want the real stuff!! My recipe for Baked Macaroni and Cheese incorporates the flavors and gooeyness of 3 different kinds of cheese and it is so thick and rich, your friends and family will be begging for more! I know my family loves it. I use the large macaroni noodles since it will get more of the actual cheese and sauce within the noodles making for cheesy good bites in every bite. Try some today!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

3 cups large elbow macaroni
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups for cheese sauce and 2 cups to mix in and on top)
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
In a saucepan, melt the butter, add the flour and pepper and cook until you get a thick pasty roue. Add the milk all at once. Stir until thickened and bubbly whisking to remove lumps of flour. Add 2 cups shredded cheese and stir until thick and bubbly. Stir macaroni into cheese sauce. Transfer to 13x9 inch baking dish, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and the 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Top with remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Variations:

- For a little western flair, add 1/4 cup BBQ sauce to macaroni and cheese and use smoked cheddar for topping.
- One pan meal, you can add your favorite vegetables to macaroni and cheese, such as broccoli or peas and carrots.