MACARONI AND CHEESE SAUCE - PERFECT and FROM SCRATCH
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/2 lb low-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon, use less if you aren’t a mustard fan - or, omit)
1/2 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Procedure:
Melt the butter over med. heat. Stir / whisk in flour and cook until bubbly. Do not brown. Remove from heat for a minute. Add milk. Return to med - high heat, and whisk until smooth, bubbly and begins to thicken slightly. Add cream cheese, salt, mustard, and pepper. Continue to heat / whisk until bubbly and combined and thick. Add grated cheese and combine until melted. You can use this on macaroni for yummy mac-n-cheese. I make this ahead and place portions (enough for a pot of mac n cheese) in the freezer. I’ve also made this with just the white sauce and grated cheese (no cream cheese) - it’s a much milder flavor. Also this might be too much mustard for some people’s taste. Experiment. Enjoy!
