Homemade Cheese Sauce For Mac & Cheese

There is something special about Mac & Cheese. Maybe it is because we grew up eating it or maybe it reminds us of being home?  

For me,  it brings me back to my youth. Nothing can really beat a big ole bowl of macaroni. It's warm,  cheesy...great now I want some!  

You get the point,  we've all had it. However,  have you ever made your own?  It can't be beat,  totally trumps regular box Mac & Cheese. 

For this recipe,  you can use which ever noodle you prefer.  They can be made prior or during. You choose. 

I like to make my noodles ahead of time and let them cool a bit before adding my sauce. 

Ingredients : 

3 T butter

1/4 C flour

2 t mustard powder

2 C milk

1 C American Cheese

2 C sharp cheddar

1 C Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper

In a medium skillet add butter,  flour. Stiring until mixed. When the butter starts to bubble,  reduce heat to low. 

Add milk,  and stir very well with a whisk. 

Add mustard powder. Stir until well mixed. Slowly add cheese a cup at a time. 

Simmer on low,  stirring constantly to avoid the milk burning. About 5 minutes or until cheese is all melted. 

Now,  add your cooked well drained pasta. Mix until all the noodles are good and coated. 

Salt and pepper to taste,  add parsly for garnish and serve warm. 

Refrigerate leftovers. 

Wanna get crazy?  Let's bake it!  

Transfer mixed noodles and  sauce to an over safe dish. 

Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs. To make my own I use normal white bread,  toast in the toaster. Then I add it to the food processor. Boom!  Homemade. They work great,  a little more texture than regular bread crumbs. 

Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. You just want the crumbs to brown slightly. 

And devour!  Your family will thank you!  

Easy, Coconut Dream Bars! Old Family Recipe..shh Don't Tell!

One of my favorite things to make every year during the holidays is my Grandma's Coconut Dream Bars. They are probably one of the richest tasting and easiest recipes to make and a true crowd winner!  

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups finely ground cookies (12 ounces), such as graham crackers or chocolate wafers, or a combination
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly splash a 15-by-10-inch rimmed baking sheet evenly with water, then line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cookie crumbs, sugar, and butter until combined. Evenly press onto bottom and up sides of prepared baking sheet. Bake, rotating halfway through, until firm, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool, about 20 minutes.
3. Sprinkle cooled crust evenly with pecans and chocolate. Pour condensed milk over the top, spreading to cover completely (do not let it drip over the edges). Sprinkle with coconut.
4. Bake until coconut is toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely. Trim edges, if desired, and cut into equal-size bars.

Super yummy and so easy to make. I add a little more sweet and condensed milk on top of the coconut, from what's left over in the can. Yes, Grandma! I used the spatula! 

  Hope you enjoy making these with your family and friends. I always enjoyed making them as a kid with my Grandma.