Recipe: Mac & Cheese

5 1/2 cups milk

1 stick butter

1/2 cup flour

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

6 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

1 lb pasta

Cook pasta until al dente per instructions on the box; set aside. Heat milk to warm, set aside. In a separate pan, melt butter, then add flour when the butter is bubbly. Whisk together and let cook 1 minute on med/high heat. Add warm milk into the butter mixture, whisk continuously, and cook until bubbly and think. Remove from heat. Add nutmeg, pepper, cayenne, salt and mix. Add cheese and stir until melted and incorporated. Add pasta to cheese sauce and mix together. Pour mac and cheese into large buttered casserole dish, 9x11 or 9x13. Bake at 375 until bubbly and golden brown on top, approximately 30 minutes.

NOTE: Makes a very large dish, serves 12. Halves very well. Cheese can be a mix of 4 1/2 cups cheddar (white or yellow). and 2 cups gruyere or fancy cheese of your choice. Cheese sauce freezes well and can be made in advance to add to pasta and bake later.