12 Weeks of Mac N Cheese - Week 3 (Baked Super Cheesy Mac N Cheese)

If you are new to this site, this is the third week of 12 weeks of Mac N Cheese.  This is a great make ahead mac n cheese for a group or party function.  This is one I like to take to others houses, because I can fix all the way up to the baking point, then just bake at wherever I am going for the last 20 mins to heat up for serving.  Also it is still very cheesy and smooth.  The Gouda adds a nice flavor to the mix.  As I have said in my other Mac N Cheese postings, my son is an absolute Mac N Cheese lover.  This is another of his favorites!

Ingredients:

• 16 oz Shells Pasta
• 6 tbsp flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups milk
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1/4 tsp spicy mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3 cups Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups Gouda
• 1 cup Pecorino Romano
• 1 cup Asiago
• 4 oz Velveeta
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup Ritz Crackers

Directions:

1. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil
2. While waiting on water to boil, grate Wisconsin Cheese, Gouda, Pecorina Romano, and Asiago. Cube the Velveeta into small cubes.  Set aside.
3. Add Shell Pasta to your boiling water.
4. Boil for about 8-10 minutes to desired tenderness
5. Drain pasta and set aside
6. In a medium to large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter.  
7. Add flour, mustard, salt and pepper to the butter.  Stir
8. Cook over a low heat until mixture is bubbly and smooth.  
9. Gradually add in Milk one cup at a time.  
10. Continue to cook over a low heat for 2-3 minutes.  Stirring constantly.
11. Mixture will thicken and that is when you want to add the cheeses.
12. Add cheese slowly about a handful at a time.  Continue to stir mixture and let cheese melt.
13. Continue to add until all cheese is in and melted.
14. Add hot sauce.
15. Add shell pasta to cheese mixture and stir in.
16. Place in a 9 x 13 baking dish (I used an oversize 9 x 13 and sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray too!)
17. Place 1/2 cup of Ritz crackers in a ziplock baggie.  Gently mash crackers into crumbs.  
18. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in microwave just until slightly melted.
19. Add to ziplock and mix with crackers.  (If too wet add a few more crackers)
20. Sprinkle on top of mac n cheese for a crust.  
21. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.  
22. Serve and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe.  If you would like to enjoy more of our Mac N Cheese recipes go to this link:

Try these, I promise you won't be sorry!
EnJoY!

I usually link to these parties....HERE!