====== One Pot Mac and Cheese ====== 

Tags: [[side]] - [[pasta]] - [[vegetarian]] - [[dinner]] \\ 
Active Time: 15 minutes \\ 
Passive Time: 15 minutes \\ 
Serves: 2-3 \\

====Description====
A really tasty stovetop mac and cheese recipe. The American cheese is used so that a creamy sauce is achieved without the pain of making a roux.



====Ingredients====
  *Whole milk: 1 cup
  *Water: 1.75 cups \\ \\ 
  *Pasta: 1 lb, uncooked \\ \\ 
  *American cheese: 4 oz, shredded
  *Dijon mustard: 1/2 tsp
  *Red chili powder: 1/4 tsp \\ \\ 
  *Gruyere cheese: 3.5 oz, shredded
  *Blue cheese: 2 tbsp, crumbled \\ \\ 
  *Panko bread crumbs: 1/3 cup (optional, for topping)
  *Olive oil: 1 tbsp (optional, for topping)
  *Salt: to taste
  *Pepper: to taste \\ \\ 
  *Parmesan: 2 tbsp, grated (optional, for topping)

====Instructions====
  -Bring water and milk to boil in (coverable) medium pot over high heat. Stir in pasta and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently until pasta is slightly past al dente
  -Add American cheese, mustard, and red chili powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is completely melted
  -Off heat, stir in Gruyere and blue cheese until evenly distributed but not melted. Let stand 5 min
  -To make optional topping, heat panko, olive oil, salt, pepper over medium/high heat stirring frequently until evenly browned (3-4 min). Sprinkle parmesan on top of panko mixture
  -Stir pasta until smooth, the sauce will thicken as it cools. Season with salt/pepper to taste and sprinkle topping on top.

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