Our Halloween Mac & Cheese

For those of you who asked here is our favorite Mac & Cheese recipe.  I make it every Halloween and serve it with this Tomato Soup they go perfectly together!  The Mac & Cheese recipe is taken from Mrs. Ina Garten, I love all of her recipes and have everyone of her cookbooks.  Just about everything I have made of hers has come out delicious!

Macaroni and Cheese

• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 quart milk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• sliced tomatoes
• bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top. 

  I usually make it ahead of time and then pull it out of the refrigerator and cook it for about 50 minutes.  It's much easier already having it made before everyone arrives!