by Lisa Fillers

Created on: September 08, 2008   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Homemade mac and cheese is far superior in taste and nutrition than the bland tasting boxed dinner variety. The taste of the cheese is prominent and each mouthful presents a rich, velvety texture on the palate. Homemade mac and cheese does not take much more time to make than the pre-packaged variety and is much healthier for your family.

By making homemade mac and cheese, you are using fresh cheddar cheese and can control the amount of salt used in making the dish. Most boxed dinners are very high in sodium content. This is particularly true with boxed mac and cheese mixes. High sodium content is very bad for anyone, but particularly disastrous for people with high blood pressure and children. Too much salt intake is harmful to the kidneys and children are very susceptible to kidney damage since their organs are much smaller.

You can lower the salt content of your mac and cheese dish by using Kosher salt. Those with high blood pressure can use a light salt specially formulated to reduce salt content by fifty percent.

Most children love macaroni and cheese and by serving them your fresh, homemade mac and cheese you know you are giving your family a wholesome meal. Mac and cheese compliments a large variety of entrees and makes a wonderful side dish for dinner, yet is nutritious enough to use as the main entree. Mac and cheese provides an excellent opportunity to make sure our children get enough dairy products in their daily diet.

Below is a very delicious and easy recipe to make your own mac and cheese.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups half and half

2 cups dry macaroni

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Warm the half and half in a small saucepan and set aside.

2. Place the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water and cook until tender.

3. Drain the macaroni into a colander and leave draining while preparing the sauce.

4. In the same large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux.

5. Gradually stir in the warm half and half, stirring constantly. Continue cooking while stirring constantly about four minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Remove from heat and add the drained macaroni back to the saucepan.

7. Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the ingredients and coat all the macaroni with the cheese sauce.

8. Remove the mac and cheese to a serving dish and serve immediately.

Your family or guests will absolutely love this mac and cheese dish. Do not be surprised if your family requests it often.

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