mama's macaroni and cheese casserole recipe

MAMA'S MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE RECIPE

A hearty, home-made family favorite for week-end lunches, after school appetites or as a great side-dish to an evening meal.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. - Macaroni or Penne Pasta
2 cups - Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups - Mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup - Parmesan cheese, grated
1 large - Green pepper, finely diced
2 medium - White onions, finely diced
3 tbsp - Butter
2 tbsp - Flour (white, all purpose)
1 1/2 cup - whole milk
3 tbsp - Olive oil
3 tbsp - Garlic, minced
1 tsp - Salt
1/2 tsp - Black pepper
2 tbsp - Parsley flakes

Preparations:

MACARONI (Or PENNE) PASTA:
Pre-cook per instructions on box or package, drain, run under cold water to stop cooking, drain, then set aside.

ONION, GARLIC & GREEN PEPPER:
Sauté in olive oil until tender and transparent. Set as side to cool.

WHITE SAUCE:
In a sauce pan, on medium heat, melt the butter, add the flour, combine and stir constantly with a whip for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of milk, whipping until the sauce begins to cream, add another 1/2 cup milk, repeat. Add the last 1/2 cup of milk, stirring until the sauce is bubbly and creamy, about 5 minutes. Don't walk away from the stove and let it burn...keep stirring! Remove from heat.

COMBINE:
In a huge mixing bowl, combine all of the prepared ingredients, except 1/4 cup of each of the cheeses. Pour the mixture into a rectangular glass baking pan, 10"X15" and 2" deep, or similar casserole baking dish. Sprinkle the top of the mixture with the remaining cheeses.

BAKE:
In a pre-heated oven at 350° F, bake the casserole for 50 to 60 minutes, or , until the cheeses have melted, the mixture is bubbly and the top begins to brown.

GARNISH & SERVE:
Remove the pan from the oven, garnish with parsley flakes, let cool for 10 minutes. Serve the entire dish at the table for guest to help themselves with or plate individual portions into bowls with other vegetable sides. Serve with toasted, generously buttered slices of your favorite bread.

ALTERNATIVE PREPARATION:
Add the cheeses to the white sauce to make a cheese sauce, then pour over the macaroni and vegetables in the baking dish, or, combine all ingredients and then place into the baking dish. Bake per instructions above.