Julie's Famous Macaroni and Cheese

This is the one holiday dish that's my requirement for admission to all family gatherings. I have perfected this version over many years of practice. I'm guessing on the number of servings, but this recipe fills an extra large foil baking pan for taking to parties. The cottage cheese was my grandma's 'secret' ingredient.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 602 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 1 large yellow onion, minced
• 8 ounces processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cubed
• 2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
• 4 (12 fluid ounce) cans evaporated milk
• 8 ounces shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1 cup small curd cottage cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.

Step 3

Melt 3/4 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir in salt, black pepper, and dry mustard. Add the onion, stir a few times to coat with butter, and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir in the flour, and mix until smoothly combined with the butter. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk, and whisk until the sauce is thickened and bubbly, about 5 more minutes.

Step 4

Stirring constantly, mix in the Cheddar cheese, processed cheese, and Colby Jack cheese until the cheeses have melted and incorporated into the sauce. Stir in the cottage cheese. Mix the cheese mixture with the cooked macaroni in a large bowl, then pour into a large foil baking pan.

Step 5

Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a large skillet, and toss the seasoned croutons with the butter until thoroughly coated. Press the buttered croutons into the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbly and the croutons have turned golden brown, about 30 minutes.