my man and his mac and cheese.

I have to admit, I really like making food that my hubby swoons over. I love it when he closes his eyes and makes yummy noises. I love making him happy. And I know that one of my special ways to his heart is my mac and cheese. When we met, he always said that his aunt makes the best mac and cheese ever. And, to be quite honest, I was jealous. As much as I love his aunt, she is a wonderful woman, I wanted him to think that about my food. About me. Every time I make dinner, I hope to please him. And, dammit, I wanted him to love my mac and cheese.

And I think I did it. Sorry Aunt Kathie! I have never had your mac and cheese, but I think I won Dave's heart with mine. I really isn't anything too special, based off the recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. But my twist really makes it something. Something that Dave won't let me play with. Sunday I wanted to try a blue cheese version. And my crazy husband, who LOVES blue cheese, wouldn't let me. He wanted the original. And that is what he got.

Mac and Cheese
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

2 T butter
1 onion chopped
2 T flour
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
velveeta cheese, cubed*
cheddar cheese, shredded*
havarti cheese, shredded*
8 oz elbow noodles, cooked until just al denté

Melt the butter and saute the onion until soft but not browned. Add the flour and pepper and cook for just a second to remove the flour-y taste. Add the milk and stir until mixed. Cook the milk mixture, stirring occasionally, until it coats the back of a spoon. Stir in the cheeses and melt away. Mix noodles and cheese sauce and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly. (I like to add a bit more cheese on top in the last few minutes of baking... your could also try breadcrumbs if you like a crunchy top.) Let stand (if you can) 10 minutes before scooping.

* I am not sure how much cheese i use. It ends up at about a half of a small box of velveeta, and about a cup each of the shredded cheeses. Sometimes it ends up with more cheese. Because cheese is good. Use how much you think you'll like.