Baked Mac & Cheese
When Chelsea lived in Salt Lake City, UT she would visit Brenda + John in Victor, ID about 2-3 times per year. She would often stop by Trader Joe’s or Costco on her way and pick up anything they were in need of. She had to bring the big city to the small town!
On the trip to Victor to meet Brenda’s daughter, Vivian, Chelsea stopped at Costco and picked up a few take and bake meals…one of them being Costco’s Mac and Cheese.
Brenda later told Chelsea that while John isn’t a huge fan of mac and cheese, he LOVED Costco’s. This is the recipe Brenda made to recreate Costco Mac and Cheese.
Baked Mac & Cheese
In a large pot, boil water. Once boiling, add:
1 tsp salt
8 oz pasta, macaroni or cavatappi
Reduce heat slightly but retain boil, follow package directions for cooking time.
While cooking pasta:
In a non-stick skillet set to medium heat, make a roux:
4 T butter
4 T flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Stir together until melted and beginning to brown, then whisk in:
2 cups milk
Cook on medium heat until thickened, 2-4 minutes. Then stir in:
1 cup shredded cheese (medium cheddar recommended)
Pasta, cooked & drained
In a greased 8"x8" baking dish (or 10"x6"), layer:
1/2 pasta
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 pasta
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Cover, bake at 325F for 20 minutes.
Or refrigerate and bake at 325F for 45-60 minutes.
Brenda’s tips:
Serving size: 4 servings as a main, 8 as a side.
Cheese: medium cheddar has a pleasant flavor great for this dish and is generally the most affordable melting cheese. If desired you can also try combinations of the following cheeses:
Sharp cheddar
Gruyere
White cheddar
Jarlsburg
Parmesan
Romano
Cream cheese
There was this awesome mac & cheese place in NYC called S'mac - - - they do some incredible combinations by adding other tasty ingredients to their base mac & cheese, try some out:
Bacon, mushroom & Swiss cheese
Roasted tomatoes & garlic
Chicken & buffalo sauce
Goat cheese & spinach
Window to B’s Kitchen…
1. Combine flour and butter for roux
2. Add spices
3. Add milk
4. Thicken the roux
5. Add cheese
6. Add noodles
