Family Fridays #14 Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This week's Family Fridays is super special for me! One of my lovely friends Andrea has decided to share a recipe very special to her heart. She has told me about it so many times and I for one can't wait to try it!

When I was little, maybe five or six, my grandma would prop me up on her old, faded, yellow seventies-style counter top in her kitchen. I would sit there visiting her and watch her make elaborate dinners and baked goods for her family with loving hands. All while hoping to get to lick spoons or sneak chocolate chips.

Most of the time she didn't follow a recipe. She had nearly every ingredient for every dish memorized and rarely ever used a measuring cup. Although, I have memories of much more complicated meals. My absolute favorite was her simple home made mac and cheese. She would make it just for me, it was my favorite comfort food.

She passed away when I was young and I never had a recipe. My mother and I gathered what ingredients we could from memory, and after a few failed attempts, I finally managed to make a mac and cheese that tastes just like grandmas!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

1 pound penne6 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons flour2 teaspoons basil1 cup half and halfI cup milk1/2 teaspoon ground pepper1/2 teaspoon red pepper1 cup of bread crumbs1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar1 1/2 cups shredded gruyere1 tomato

Directions

Preheat  to 375.

Cook penne accordingly. Heat milk in a saucepan and melt butter in a large pot. Add flour and basil.While whisking, add milk and the half and half cook until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in penne, cheese, basil, and pepper.Put the mixture in a baking pan and lay sauced tomatoes on top. I like to sprinkle more cheese over top.Bake 30 minutes.

Tada! 

Take a look at my last few Family Friday recipes!