Mac & Cheese & Peas

Mac & Cheese is a favorite here for Meatless Mondays.  And of course it has to be homemade!  I have experimented for years to get a good cheese sauce and by golly I think I've finally found it.  Mmm, Cheese Sauce.  Liquid gold, it's been called, and I must agree.  Add pasta of any kind and it's called foodie heaven.

Mac & Cheese & Peas

What you Need:

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c. flour

2 c. milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper

2 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 lb. elbow pasta

1/2 lb. frozen peas

What You Do:

Fill large pot with water and a handful of salt.

Cover and bring to boil.

While water is coming to a boil-

In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat.

Whisk in flour and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly.

Add milk slowly, whisking to combine.

Add salt and pepper.

Cook over medium-high heat until thick and creamy, stirring frequently.

 While sauce is thickening-

Add pasta to boiling water and cook for one minute less than package directions.

When sauce has thickened, remove saucepan from heat and add cream cheese.

Stir until cream cheese has melted, then add cheddar cheese in 4 batches.

Stir until cheese has completely melted between each addition.

When pasta timer goes off, add frozen peas to pasta and water and boil for one more minute.

Drain and dump back in pot.

Add all that glorious cheese sauce and stir until well combined.

If it's not Meatless Monday, add cooked crumbled bacon...

Or add cubed ham and substitute broccoli for the peas...

With cheese and pasta, the possibilities are endless...