The following is a true story.
Once upon a time there was a girl. The girl loved macaroni and cheese.
Throughout her life, the girl ate this dish in every
configuration: the kind in the blue box with the powdered orange cheese, the kind
in the yellow box with shells and creamy sauce, the frozen kind, the baked kind
with bread crumb topping, the kind you make in the slow cooker. She just loved it, and would dare say that if
stranded on a desert island with the choice of only one food to eat, she would choose macaroni and cheese.
Then one day, serendipity paid a visit.
She was on vacation with some girlfriends, and one night at a restaurant, she and her
friend (shout-out to Crystal, hey girrrrl) ate some macaroni and cheese that knocked their socks off.
They talked about it.
They drooled over it. They went
back to the restaurant* and had it again.
During the same vacation, she and her friends were watching
a local cooking show while lounging away the afternoon drinking margaritas
in their pajamas. On the show was
featured one dish: Stovetop Mac and Cheese.
Their ears and eyes perked up as they realized that this dish was uncannily similar to the one they had enjoyed earlier. The steps were simple, as were the
ingredients. I can do this, thought the
girl.
The girl came home from bacchanalia vacation and as life
took a firm grip on her, she promptly forgot about the coveted dish. Months later, while preparing dinner menus
for her family, she remembered the stovetop mac and cheese and its mouthwatering taste.
She did some research and found a couple of recipes that she
combined and adapted to approach the loveliness that was the dish that she had
loved all those moons before.
And now, she is sharing it with you.
I mean, I am. Get
ready, kids, because it’s magic time.
Macaroni and Cheese
on the Stove
Ingredients:
3½ cups of water. Measure it, because you will not be draining
any liquid. Oh yeah, I said that. No draining, people. For real.
1¼ cup light cream or
half and half. Are you someone who
knows the difference between these two?
Because I don’t. In my world,
they are interchangeable. I don’t want
to know the difference.
1 lb. macaroni. You know what I like to use? The large corkscrews. Bang.
You can use whatever kind you want, but look - if you use spaghetti noodles or egg noodles
because you are contrary like that, then you are a rebel in a bad way because
this is just not going to turn out well for you.
Salt. For flavor.
You may be a spicy thing, but your personality alone cannot flavor this
dish. Trust.
2½ T. flour. How else are you going to thicken the
sauce? Come on, now.
1½ T. Dijon mustard. Yep.
The fancy kind. Just go with the
smooth, not the one with all the seeds in it.
I like that kind too, but now is not the time to get it out. Save that one for when you want to have a nice ham
sandwich or something. You know what
would go well with this dish? Ham
sandwiches.
Black pepper. This is where I get fancy. I use fresh ground pepper. There’s something about the big grounds of
pepper that I really get into.
Conversely, they like to get into my teeth. See also: what is guaranteed to be sticking
in my teeth every single time my husband takes my picture.
1½ c. milk. Because half and half or cream isn’t enough
dairy, and we haven’t even added the cheese yet.
1 c. shredded aged
white cheddar cheese. Don’t skimp
here. Get the goods. Shred it yourself and stop being so lazy all
the time. Watch the fingers. No one wants your fingerprints shredded into their mac.
1 c. shredded swiss or
emmental or gruyere cheese. Go
ahead. Break out the furs and diamonds
and get fancy here. You are only making
the world’s most delicious food. Pick one or two and do it
up. I use emmental cheese when I can find it because it rocks my world. In my area it's kind of hard to find, even with all the fancy grocery stores trying to outdo each other. You know where I can usually find it? Walmart. Take that, fancies.
2 to 4 oz. chopped
green chiles. HELLO! SNAP! That
just slapped you across the face, didn’t it?
Never saw it coming.
![]() |
All the ingredients, sitting in a pretty little row. Do you like my flour canister? It's a plastic bag! |
Okay, so here’s what you do.
Instructinos:
[Note: when I type any
word with “-tion” at the end, it comes out “-tino.” I like it better, and am starting a
revolutino to change all “-tion” words to “-tino” words. Who’s with me?]
1. Put the water and cream in a large pot and heat it over
medium heat until it is hot but not boiling.
Stir in macaroni and a little bit of salt, like ¼ to ½ t. Cover and reduce heat a little and simmer
until macaroni is almost tender, about 7 minutes. I don’t like mushy macaroni so I am a little
nutsy about this timing part. I’m always
reaching into the pot and burning myself on hot macaroni. You might do that too if you’re a chump like
me, but I don’t recommend it.
![]() |
This is the part where it will threaten to boil over about a million times. Don't let it. Take control. |
2. Whisk flour, mustard, and black pepper into the milk, and
pour it into the pot. Stir. Pump up the heat a little and stir and cook
until the sauce is thickened, maybe like 5-8 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and dump in the cheese and green
chiles. You don’t have to drain the
chiles or anything. I use a whole 4 oz. can because I love green chiles. My kids hate them, but I don't even care one bit about their needs at this point. Stir to combine. Be the boss that you are.
4. Season to taste with salt.
4. Season to taste with salt.
![]() |
All I can think of at the stage is: "I'm gonna have to clean the pot and it's gonna be a nightmare." |
5. Eat. My favorite instructino.
And that is it.
Deliciousness on the stovetop, and you didn’t even need to strain
yourself or the macaroni, HA! I think this would be tasty with a melted butter
and bread crumb topping and baked in the oven for a few minutes, but I have
never done that. If you do, please let
me know if I should bother. If you live through
the tasting, that is. You might die and go
to heaven from the sheer ecstasy of it.
![]() |
I sprinkled chives on top just because. |
I almost forgot! The
ending to my true story!
Ahem.
The girl ate this new mac and cheese regularly and
gained ten pounds in two months.
The End.
*******
*5th and Wine, Scottsdale, Arizona. OMG so good. Have the bruschetta while you're there for the mac.
This recipe is adapted
from 5th and Wine’s menu and a recipe from the Dairy Farmers of Canada
Real Cream that I found at allrecipes.com.
*******
Are you sure there's enough cheese in there?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on BlogHer!
Thanks, Alison! I may have gone a little heavy on the cheese for the picture. And my arteries.
DeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeletethis recipe sounds so good I WANT IT FOR BREAKFAST! ps congrats on BlogHer syndication, you rock! heading over there shortly!! xoxo
Erin,
DeleteMy daughter heated some up this morning and put in her thermos for lunch. She made too much. So I ATE IT FOR BREAKFAST. :P
And it was delicious. You really should make it sometime.
Love it. Love your recipes. They make me simultaneously giggle and drool, which is admittedly a bit strange.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't choke on your own drool, you should be OK. :)
DeleteWe have the same flour canister!
ReplyDeleteI love your directions!!! All cookbooks should be written this way!
It sounds so yummy! I'll definitely be giving this a try!
NO WAY! Do you double bag? I have to double bag.
DeleteThanks for the compliments. If I wrote a cookbook it would be a thousand pages long and there would be twenty recipes. :)
First, you had me at mac and cheese.
ReplyDeleteSecond, you really had me at no draining. Hello! So easy! I have made stove top mac and cheese but always had to drain - this changes everything.
OMG your life is about to get infinitely more amazing. I can just tell.
DeleteAnd Yay! Fellow mac and cheese lovers unite!!
My son would say - that's not enough cheese...
ReplyDeleteThat sounds and looks so delicious! Trying it for sure!
If your son likes cheese, this is the way to do it up.
DeleteLet m know how your family likes it!!
I make my Grandmother's mac and cheese. Heavy, heavy, heavy on the cheese! Which makes it better :) Love this dish!
ReplyDeleteI bet your Grandmother's mac and cheese is amazing, like most old recipes are, er, except for the one jello recipe I have that requires a dollop of miracle whip on top.
DeleteI want to make this. But I don't want to gain 10 pounds. But I really like mac & cheese. Decisions, decisions...
ReplyDelete(I'm totally making this.)
(You should totally make this.)
DeleteYou and my husband, both lovers of the Mac!
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh so hard with your chiles slapping me in the face and your word changes! "Instructinos", I thought for a sec you were Italian. ;)
I just LOVE your recipes!!
In my mind, I am Italian. With the crazy accent and jarred spaghetti sauce and everything.
DeleteThanks, Elaine!! You should make this for your husband. He will love it!
The 10 lbs is why I don't eat this stuff - but I do like to drool all over my computer thinking about how I want to eat it. YUM!
ReplyDeleteYou are so good, and smart to stop it at the drooling stage. I drool about it, and then I go and eat it all up like the pig that I am. :)
DeleteI love this.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, you might say I'm reading it with much adoratino.
p.s. Your cheddar cheese was a GOLD MEDALIST! (!!) You probably have a big mantle for the trophy. Am I right?
Ooo la la! I have one convert! This is cause for a huge celebratino!!
DeleteThe cheddar IS a Gold Medalist! Only the best for my rapid weight gain. And yes. Cracker Barrel totally lets me display the trophy for their award-winning cheese in my home.
"Your personality alone won't season this dish." I die. Also, OMG DELICIOUS.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I've tried to season food using only personality. It doesn't work. xo
DeleteThis is hilarious, thanks for the Friday afternoon reprieve. Looks delicious and I think I would gain 10 lbs also if I went down this slippery slope of mac and cheese goodness, but it was fun to read about it. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And that it is all but gone in my house. I mostly stayed away from eating the whole bowl this time.
DeleteThat looks reaaallly good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! I hope you are doing well!!
DeleteI LOVE homemade mac and cheese. My kids hate it. They are box babies. But that won't stop me from making this! Also I have never made one with bread crumb topping that I liked. Always too dry. So I always leave that off anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy kids love any kind of mac and cheese but they turn their noses up at bread topping. This one has so much creamy sauce that it might not ever get dry. :)
Delete--------------
ReplyDeletehttp://marinirseo.blogspot.com/2014/10/perumahan-baru-di-tangerang-graha-raya.html
---------------
http://marinir-seo.blogspot.com/2014/10/marinir-seo.html
http://vvty.in/uncategorized/bantal-silikon-185-000-free-ongkir-seluruh-nusantara/
http://bumbu-pecel-malang.blogspot.com/2014/11/bantal.html
http://distro-seo.blogspot.com/2014/11/marinir-seo.html
http://restoran-seo.blogspot.com/2014/11/bantalas.html
http://kopiluwakliar01.blogspot.com/2014/10/perumahan-baru-di-tangerang-graha-raya.html
http://bantalsilikon01.blogspot.com/2014/10/rekomendasi-untuk-cloud-dedicated.html
https://www.facebook.com/bantalsilikongrosir
lkmnprapto@gmail.com
http://vvty.in/http://vvty.in/http://vvty.in/
http://vvty.in/http://vvty.in/http://vvty.in/
http://marinir-seo-konsultan-12a.blogspot.com/2014/10/aaa.html
http://asdf-14.blogspot.com/2014/10/hhh.html
http://vvtiin.blogspot.com/2014/10/iii.html
http://marinir-seo-8.blogspot.com/2014/10/jjj.html
http://bantaljkt1.blogspot.com/2014/10/sss.html
http://dfes12.blogspot.com/2014/10/rrr.html
http://seo-guru01.blogspot.com/2014/10/qqq.html
http://jksbindo.blogspot.com/2014/10/ppp.html
http://jkt-49.blogspot.com/2014/10/ooo.html
http://seokonsultan1.blogspot.com/2014/10/nnn.html
http://guru-seo-malang.blogspot.com/2014/10/mmm.html
http://seo-aaa.blogspot.com/2014/10/lll.html
http://seo-konsultasi-mudah.blogspot.com/2014/10/kkk.html
http://bantal-silikon15.blogspot.com/2014/10/ggg.html
http://agen-seo16.blogspot.com/2014/10/fff.html
http://agen-seo17.blogspot.com/2014/10/eee_30.html
http://agen-seo18.blogspot.com/2014/10/ddd.html
http://agen-seo19.blogspot.com/2014/10/ccc.html
http://agen-seo20.blogspot.com/2014/10/bbb.html
http://bumbu-pecel01.blogspot.com/2014/10/xxx.html
bumbupecel1.blogspot.com
http://bantalasdf.blogspot.com/2014/10/aaa.html
http://seo-malang-19.blogspot.com/2014/10/bbb.html
http://agenseomalang18.blogspot.com/2014/10/ccc.html
http://marinirseo17.blogspot.com/2014/10/ddd.html
http://bumbupecel16.blogspot.com/2014/10/eee.html
http://domainhosting15.blogspot.com/2014/10/fff.html
http://bumbupecel15.blogspot.com/2014/10/ggg.html
http://marinirseo14.blogspot.com/2014/10/hhh.html
http://bantalsilikon12a.blogspot.com/2014/10/iii.html
http://marinirseo12.blogspot.com/2014/10/jjj.html
http://bumbu-pecel-hz.blogspot.com/2014/10/kkk.html
http://marinir-seo-001.blogspot.com/2014/10/lll.html
http://bantal-silikon-murah.blogspot.com/2014/10/mmm.html
http://vvty-ine.blogspot.com/2014/10/nnn.html
http://give-a-power.blogspot.com/2014/10/ooo.html
http://bumbupecel-12.blogspot.com/2014/10/ppp.html
http://marinir-seo-konsultan.blogspot.com/2014/10/qqq.html
http://guru-seo-praktisi-123.blogspot.com/2014/10/rrr.html
http://guru-seminar-online01.blogspot.com/2014/10/sss.html
http://kopiluwakmalang11.blogspot.com/2014/10/ttt.html
20150523wengdongdong
ReplyDeleteabercrombie outlet
chanel outlet
michael kors handbags
oakley sunglasses sale
christian louboutin sale
louis vuitton handbags
toms outlet
jordan 11
timberland boots
nike air max
michael kors watches
oakley vault
coach outlet store online
kate spade
jordan 9
chanel handbags
michael kors outlet
jordan 4s
oakley sunglasses wholesale
michael kors outlet
chanel bags
louis vuitton outlet
jeremy scott adidas
louis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren
black timberland boots
abercrombie
ray ban sunglass
louis vuitton handbags
hollister clothing
coach outlet
kobe bryant shoes
2015831dongdong
ReplyDeletepandora charms
louis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren
louis vuitton
tommy hilfiger outlet
burberry scarf
nike huarache
jordan 11
coach outlet
toms outlet store
oakley sunglasses sale
gucci outlet online
louis vuitton handbags
abercrombie
ralph lauren
cheap toms
louis vuitton handbags
nike air huarache
ralph lauren outlet
giuseppe zanotti sneakers
louis vuitton outlet stores
nike roshe run
tory burch sale
coach outlet
pandara jewelry
barbour coats
barbour jackets
pandora jewelry
coach outlet
abercrombie and fitch
coach outlet
fake oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
cheap ugg boots
nhl jerseys
michael kors outlet
tod's shoes
oakley sunglasses
coach outlet store online