Kid Friendly, One-Pot Mac And Cheese

If your kids are anything like mine, they love their macaroni and cheese. Here's an easy recipe you can make with only one pot and ingredients you already have in your home. It takes a couple of minutes more than the box with the cheese powder, but it is well worth the time.

For the pasta you can go traditional with elbow macaroni or have fun with spirals, rings, shells or mix a couple of different types together if you don't have a full box of one type. For the cheese I've mixed in Mozzarella, Colby Jack or Cheddar... again, whatever you have on hand. The one cup of cheese is a good starting point, you can always add a little more if you want.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces uncooked pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup grated cheese
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Take your one and only big pot, fill it with water and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, add some salt and the pasta and cook according to the package directions (about 10 minutes).

While the pasta cooks, assemble the rest of your ingredients because it goes pretty fast once the pasta is done.

Drain the pasta in a colander. Turn the heat of the burner to medium-low. It's important to lower the heat to help prevent the sauce from burning or the flour from sticking to the pan.

Put the pot back on the stove and add the butter. As it begins to melt, add the minced garlic and stir so the garlic doesn't burn. When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to form a roux. Add the milk and stir to make the mixture smooth. This sauce will start to bubble and thicken after a couple of minutes.

Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pot from the heat and stir in your grated cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked pasta.

Serve and enjoy! There are 2 good things about this recipe ~ #1 is the taste, and, #2 is ~ you have only one pot to clean!