Triple Cheese Mac

Lets talk about Mac and Cheese in a box for a second.  Lets keep it real ladies and gents, I would venture to say no cheese in its natural form is, powdered.  The box stuff is just gross (there's that awesome vocabulary I'm in possession of).  Everyone needs a kicking homemade recipe, and this one is a great pantry friendly version.

Ingredients:

-1 lb bag of macaroni

-4 tbsp butter

-1 package of cream cheese

-1 12oz can of evaporated milk (for a super rich mac use heavy cream)

-1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

-1/4 cup flour (I used white flour, but its super yummy with whole wheat too)

-1 cube of chicken bouillon, or 1 cup of chicken broth

-1 cup water (omit if using chicken broth)

-salt and pepper to taste

-1 cup of cheddar cheese (I personally prefer sharp cheddar, but I don't usually use it because my kiddos aren't huge fans)

First things first get your water boiling for your pasta then follow the package directions till its done.

In the meantime while the pasta is cooking, drop the bouillon cube in one cup of water, and microwave for 1 minute.  It dissolves super easy in really warm water.

My awesome camera operator was the teen.  

Which is why we have this awesome picture of Pretty Miss J.

First, melt the 4 tbsp of butter (don't judge) in a pan over medium high heat.

Then, if you never remember to think ahead enough to have room temperature cream cheese (to be perfectly honest I NEVER remember ahead of time) you can microwave it for about 30 seconds until softened.

After the butter is melted whisk in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (cheese number 1).

Then whisk 1/4 cup of flour.

It will appear slightly lumpy (hello parmesan).

Then slowly whisk in the broth.  You will want to make SURE you add it slowly, and fully mix with each new addition of liquid because otherwise you will have a lumpy mess.

Look how awesome and creamy it looks.

Then whisk in the evaporate milk (also go slowly with this step).

Then its time for the cream cheese (if you're keeping count this is cheese number 2).

Just break apart and mix until smooth.

Then add your grated cheese (what up cheese 3).  I honestly never measure this stage.  I just add until it gets that awesome melted cheese string (you know what I'm talking about) when you lift the whisk out of the mixture.

Continue to whisk until fully melted and incorporated.  This is the best time to season.  I use garlic salt and pepper to taste.  

Through magic our pasta is done.

And ready for some sauce.

Give it a good stir to make sure all the pasta gets incorporated with the sauce.

The photo cred. for this shot goes to the tween who was insanely jealous that I let the teen take most of the pictures.

Then its time to dish up, and watch people enjoy (or not because that could be creepy).  

Or it could be incredibly cute if your have a little one that enjoys it with enthusiasm.  Even my pickiest eaters are lovers of the homemade mac.

I won't claim this is the kicking-est (I'm sure thats a real word...Right?) recipe on the planet, but its darn good and made with things most of us always have on hand.  So surprise your mac lovers with this super easy recipe sometime, and make sure to let me know what you think.

linked up at:  www.savvysouthernstyle.net, jannolson.blogspot.com