Grandma Minnie’s Mac & Cheese

Ever wonder how macaroni and cheese became so popular for Thanksgiving? History records that Thomas Jefferson traveled to Europe and had an incredible pasta and cheese dish baked in the oven. Upon his return to Virginia, he challenged his enslaved workers to recreate the dish hence its popularity in the South.

And hundreds of years later, we are still trying to find the best macaroni and cheese recipes. Today, I am here to help. Each year around this time, I share with my Sexy Wives  a recipe from my Grandma Minnie. She was an amazing cook, a wise woman and I am so blessed to have been able to sit in the kitchen and watch her work her magic. Although there are many women who “don’t cook” or feel like cooking is not…their thing, I enjoy cooking for my family during the holidays especially because I am reminded of the love and fun I had in the kitchen with Grandma Minnie.

This year, I am sharing with you Grandma Minnie’s Mac & Cheese. If you decide to use this recipe, PLEASE take a picture and share it on my social media platforms. I can’t wait to see your handiwork!

Grandma Minnie’s Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 8 oz block of Velveeta Processed Cheese

1 bag of 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 bag of 2 cups Mild Cheddar Cheese

2 Boxes of Elbow Macaroni

Milk 

Butter

Seasonings: Garlic powder/ Onion powder/ Salt/ Pepper

HOW TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE

If you’ve never made homemade mac and cheese before, it can seem a bit daunting.  But don’t worry, I’ll break it down and take it step by step!

COOKING TIPS FOR BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

• Boiling the pasta – cook the pasta less than you normally would.  I like to boil my elbow pasta for between 7 and 8 minutes.  The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and you don’t want it to get mushy.
• Use room temp liquids – if you can… cold liquids generally take longer to thicken than warmer ones.  I usually set my milk, butter and cheeses  out while the water for the pasta is coming up to a boil.

Putting It All Together:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Boil the pasta, drain.
• Make the cheese sauce by combining 1 stick (butter),1 box of velveeta, and 1 cup of milk whisking products together until melted and creamy.
• Cook the sauce until it’s nice and thick.
• Add in half of the shredded cheeses, stir well.
• Season your cooked noodles with all the above seasonings. 
• Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta.
• Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with more shredded cheese.
• Top with the rest of the mac and cheese, top with more shredded cheese.
• Bake on 350 for 30 minutes  and thoroughly enjoy!