Mac & Cheese

Ah, the almighty macaroni and cheese, the undeniable champion of comfort food. Because who needs excitement and adventure when you can have a steaming plate of gooey, cheesy pasta that wraps you in a warm, fuzzy blanket of predictability? If you're looking for a meal that takes you on a thrilling gastronomic journey, well, you've come to the wrong place. But if you're after a dish that's as familiar as your childhood teddy bear and as reliable as a snooze button on Monday mornings, then you've hit the comfort food jackpot with our Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese recipe.

This timeless classic has been pleasing palates for what feels like an eternity, and for good reason. After all, nothing screams "culinary genius" like boiling macaroni and drenching it in a river of melted cheese, right? But don't be fooled by its simplicity; this mac and cheese may not be Instagram-worthy with fancy garnishes or artful plating, but it'll knock your socks off in the taste department.

So, put on your favorite stretchy pants, because this macaroni and cheese is here to give you a warm, cheesy embrace that's almost as comforting as canceling plans on a Friday night. Let the unapologetically rich and creamy cheese sauce take you on a journey back to simpler times when all you needed was a good ol' bowl of cheesy goodness and a side of indifference to life's worries.

Sure, it may not be trendy or gourmet, but who needs that nonsense anyway? This macaroni and cheese is the culinary equivalent of a cozy blanket fort – not fancy, not glamorous, but oh-so-satisfying and undeniably delightful. So, buckle up (or should we say unbuckle those belts) and get ready to dive into a world of delicious predictability with our Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese. Because when life gets overwhelming, sometimes all you need is a serving of comfort food to remind you that simplicity can be downright delicious.

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

- 12 oz (340g) elbow macaroni

- 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk (because who needs to watch their calorie intake, right?)

- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (because we're not here to count the pounds either)

- 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (the cheesier, the better, obviously)

- 1 cup shredded Gouda cheese (or any other fancy melting cheese you can find, if you're feeling extra bougie)

- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (because three cheeses are better than one, duh)

- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (who knew mustard had a place in mac and cheese?)

- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for keeping vampires at bay, of course)

- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for those brave enough to handle a hint of spice)

- Salt and pepper to taste (because we can't have bland macaroni, now can we?)

- Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish (if you're feeling fancy enough to add a touch of green to this beige masterpiece)

Instructions:

1. Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Cook it until it's "al dente" (fancy Italian term for pasta that still has a bit of bite) – because mushy macaroni is for amateurs.

2. In the same pot (less dishes to wash, yay!), melt the unsalted butter. You read that right – unsalted butter. We're getting enough salt from the cheese, thank you very much.

3. Add the flour to the butter, and voilà, you've got yourself a roux. Feel free to flex your culinary lingo with that term.

4. Pour in the whole milk, because skim milk is for the faint-hearted. Whisk away until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, like the witty banter we're serving you right now.

5. Time to toss in the shredded cheddar, Gouda, and grated Parmesan. Oh, the holy trinity of cheeses, coming together to create a gooey, cheesy sauce that's almost as indulgent as watching reality TV all day.

6. Spice things up with the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if you dare), and a pinch of salt and pepper. You know, to make sure your mac and cheese is as spicy as your personality.

7. Mix in the cooked elbow macaroni, and coat it in that glorious cheese sauce. Mmm, now we're talking – the beige-on-beige combination that's never going out of style.

8. If you're feeling fancy, let the macaroni and cheese simmer for a bit, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop, like friendships formed over shared disdain for kale salads.

9. Serve it up with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives, because presentation matters (sort of).

And there you have it, our Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese. Perfect for days when you just want to indulge in some creamy, cheesy goodness and don't care about anyone's judgment. So go ahead, take a bite, and savor the unapologetic comfort of this classic dish. Bon appétit, darlings!