Serious Mac 'n Cheese

Here it is. The ultimate Mac 'n Cheese. I searched high and low for a great recipe that didn't include flour because Matt really doesn't like it with flour. I always try to tell him you can't really taste it but he swears he always can. Anyway, his mom can really make some mean Mac 'n Cheese. The only problem is, she doesn't have a recipe. She just throws whatever cheese she happens to have in her fridge at the moment in a baking dish and lets her rip. Sometimes that includes Velveeta. Sometimes not. Sometimes it includes Colby Jack. Sometimes not. That really doesn't work well for me considering I don't have a great variety of cheese here. So I had to find something a little more concrete. And, lo and behold, Paula Deen came through. She calls hers The Lady's Cheesy Mac. Of course, she also has The Ultimate Lady's Cheesy Mac 'n Cheese. I would try it but my husband has a family history of high cholesterol and I just don't have the guts. Sorry.



4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
2 cups grated Cheddar
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
pinch ground mustard (not part of Paula's recipe, but it just helps. Trust me.)



Not pictured: butter. Oops.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. While the macaroni is cooking, combine eggs (whisked a little first), sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, mustard, and butter.



Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar.



Now add your egg mixture to the macaroni.



Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish.



Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese (or add some more if you're feeling naughty).



Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-45 minutes.



Enjoy!

Makes about 6 servings.

*Borrowed from Paula Deen on Food Network.