Creamy Macaroni & Cheese - For Two Or One

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1 cup pasta, with nooks & crannies for holding the sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped finely
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon chives, chopped, mostly for colour
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven at 350°f.
• 2 cook pasta in boiling salted water until al-dente. drain and set aside.
• 3 heat the milk in the microwave, on high for 1-1/2 minutes.
• 4 in a medium saucepan, melt butter. add salt, pepper and chopped onion. sauté on medium heat, until the onion is transparent and soft, but not brown.
• 5 sprinkle the flour on top, and allow the butter to absorb some of it before stirring.
• 6 add the hot milk in 3 additions, stirring constantly. the mixture will get thick very quickly.
• 7 after the final addition of milk, continue heating the mixture, on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly.
• 8 *remove from heat* and stir in the grated cheese, chives and red pepper flakes.
• 9 add the drained pasta and mix well.
• 10 fold in the cubed cheese.
• 11 pour into two greased onion soup bowls.
• 12 bake for 20 - 25 minutes.
• 13 allow to cool a bit before serving.