The first time I made this recipe was about a year ago for a family member’s birthday party. The second time was for this year’s fourth of July dinner on the 3rd. The third time was JUST for this blog post. Yea, I love you guys that much 🙂

The original recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman but after making it a year ago I found the need to change it a bit. My adaptations were a success so I’m confident in sharing it with you today. I hope you like it too!

What you’ll need: macaroni (or other pasta), butter, flour, kosher salt, dry mustard, pepper, paprika, 1% milk, colby jack cheese and cheddar cheese.

Boil pasta to al dente and drain. Set aside.

In a medium pan, melt butter over medium high heat. In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and paprika. Add to butter and stir for 3 minutes. Add milk and stir for 10 minutes.

Stir in colby jack cheese and stir until thoroughly combined. Notice how the sauce doesn’t change color? Yea, it’s suppose to be like that 🙂

Add the pasta to a casserole dish and pour the sauce over the pasta.

Stir together. Don’t worry if it’s too soupy. The sauce with be soaked up by the pasta and it will thicken as it bakes.

Cover the top with cheddar cheese. I also sprinkle a little more paprika on top as well. I’m a fan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes and voila!

Devour and enjoy!

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Ingredients

• 8 – 10 oz macaroni (or other pasta)
• 3 tbsp un-salted butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• 2 1/2 cups 1% milk
• 2 cups shredded colby-jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Boil pasta until al dente, drain and rinse, set aside.
3. Over medium heat, melt butter.
4. Add in flour, salt, dry mustard, black pepper, and paprika. Stir constantly for 3 minutes.
5. Stir in milk and whisk for about 10 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in colby-jack cheese, stirring until melted.
7. Toss gently the sauce and pasta in a baking dish until mixed well.
8. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and dust lightly with paprika.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes.