As it turns out, the best mac n' cheese ever is a Bake Off winner.

 We held our Chili-Mac b' Cheese-Dessert Bake Off Monday, and it's official.

 

My efforts (and trial run through of the recipe on the weekend) proved to me that the name of the mac n' cheese recipe I used is true.

 

Here it is. (You've gotta try it.)

 

Best Mac and Cheese Ever

 

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 lb Gruyere cheese
• 1 lb Cheddar Cheese
• 24 Ritz crackers

Instructions

1. Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Set aside.
2. In large pot, melt butter. Add skim milk and bring to near boiling over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle in flour. Whisk vigorously over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Mixture should be thick and boiling. Slowly add cream, while whisking. Add in salt, pepper, mustard and worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir for about 5 minutes.
3. In food processor, shred Gruyere and Cheddar cheese. Add to pot, stir until thoroughly combined.
4. Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture. Pour into a 13x9 dish.
5. In large ziploc, (or use a food processor, or a Ninja blender) to crush one sleeve of Ritz crackers. Sprinkle over top of macaroni.
6. Bake in a 375 degree oven, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy hot!

 

I won first place in the Mac n' Cheese division of the Bake Off!(I won this teeny-tiny trophy, a $25 gift card, and bragging rights for the next 365 days.)

 

 

First, let me say that we did our Bake Off anonymously with numbers by each entry instead of names or what have you. This way, people couldn't tell who baked what..(Okay, desserts were a bit easier to figure out, as there are a few of us that are always baking things for friends to enjoy...) Voting was done by dropping your vote in the designated jars I had organized...which were counted at the end of the competition by one of our fabulous receptionists.

 

...and...I took first place in the Mac n' Cheese Division.

 

I'm pretty stoked, (can you tell? We are a competitive bunch, down there at work.) I will most certainly be showcasing my teeny-tiny trophy, and initiating the shameless bragging rights for the entire 365 days, thankyouverymuch.