Tenderoni and Cheese

Once in a blue moon I crave a big bowl of dairy and carbs. Who am I kidding, more like once a week, but whose counting? I know the simple solution to this would be a blue box full of chemicals and the humbling of my tastebuds, but I typically choose the road less travelled and this time devoted an entire episode of Sons of Anarchy to homemade mac and cheese.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. macaroni or other pasta (I used whole wheat rotini)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 garlic clove minced
• half of a white onion diced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika plus more for sprinkling on top
• 2 1/2 cups 2% milk
• 3 cups grated medium cheddar cheese and gruyere
• spinach, ham (or anything you would like to add!)

Directions

1. Boil the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (toss with EVOO to keep the noodles from sticking if it’s going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
3. Over medium heat, melt the butter garlic and onion.
4. Add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir constantly over medium heat for about three minutes to start a roux.
5. Stir in the milk.
6. Keeping on medium heat, whisk constantly for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
7. Remove from heat, and stir in 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted.
8. Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and toss gently until all noodles are covered.
9. Add half the noodles to a baking dish.
10. Sprinkle on half the cheese.
11. Add the rest of the noodles.
12. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, and dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
13. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until it starts getting a slightly dry and a tiny bit brown on top.
14. Consume then nap.

Yield: 5-6 servings

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