This is an easy pasta dish that’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly hearty.  And, all you need is a few minutes to whip it up.  With Easter quickly approaching this is the kind of creamy and cheesy side dish you will want to enjoy with your family.  The kids will all cheer when they see macaroni and cheese on the table. 

The adults will cheer too with the sharp cheddar flavor and  hint of garlic.  So move over Jello salad and deviled eggs the mac and cheese has come to Easter dinner and it’s going to be the star of the show.  We should get cooking soon, because Easter is April 5th this year and it’s just 18 days away.

Start by cooking the macaroni according to the package directions making sure to salt the water as suggested by the package.  This will make the noodles more flavorful. When the noodles are done, pour them in a greased baking dish.  I used a 13″x9″ oval baking dish.  

In a pan melt 1/4 of a cup of butter over medium heat.

When butter is melted, pull pan off the heat and mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour to make a paste.

Now put the pan back on the heat and add 3 cups of milk stirring constantly.

When the milk is warm, stir in the 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Cook on low stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes a little thick.  Then pour sauce over the cooked macaroni in the dish and stir it around to mix it in.

 Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of your favorite bread crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Then let it sit for a few minutes before serving and it will thicken a little bit as it cools off.  Now sit back and enjoy this yummy mac and cheese with the whole family.

Adapted from allrecipes.com