Four Cheese Macaroni

Prep Time: 0 Minutes

Cook Time: 35 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes

Servings: 6

A delightfully creamy and rich Macaroni and Cheese. The combination of cheeses is wonderful. It's perfectly delicious as is but it is also very receptive to a number of other additions (listed below) to make it a one-dish dinner. Read more . This is an adaptation of a recipe from All Recipes. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni

9 tablespoons butter (the original recipe calls for 9 tbsp. - i like to use 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter - or one stick. you probably could get by with even less if you are so inclined...)

1/2 cup shredded muenster cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

(feel free to up the cheese quotient. and invite me for dinner! )

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

8 ounces cubed processed cheese food (don't be a velveeta snob like i was - this makes the sauce so darn cheesy/creamy. if you want to remain a v-snob, then go for cream cheese, but it won't be the same. but hey, it's your thang - do what you wanna do. heh.)

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 tsp. of dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

optional additions: (any combination)

ground meat, browned (turkey, chicken, beef, pork)

breakfast sausage such as jimmy dean regular or hot (browned and drained - 1 lb.)

keilbasa or andouille (cut into chunks and browned in a wee bit of olive oil)

fresh chorizo, casing removed, browned and broken up

1 small onion, diced and sauteed until translucent

jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (for a milder taste, use poblano, or go crazy and use serranos or a habanero)

crushed red pepper flake to taste

3/4 c. of roasted red pepper, chopped

i have even added

1 can of artichoke hearts, drained and loosely chopped

cheesy note: another great cheese combo and one of my favorite spins is using shredded asiago, provolone, mozzarella and a sharp cheddar. delish

or use a pepper jack cheese in the mix. or a smoked cheddar. i adore cheese and it all works for me and makes this recipe wonderful, comforting and lusciously decadent.

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter; stir into the macaroni.
3. In a large bowl, combine the Muenster cheese, mild and sharp Cheddar cheeses, and Monterey Jack cheese; mix well.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5. Add the half and half, 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture, cubed processed cheese food, dry mustard and eggs to macaroni; mix together and season with salt and pepper.
6. Transfer to a lightly greased deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese mixture and 1 tablespoon of butter.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges.
8. Serve and enjoy!

By RecipeOfHealth.com