Babba's Mac and Cheese

I was blown away by all of the wonderful comments and words of encouragement that I received after my last post.  Thank you all so much for the kind words, thoughts, and prayers.  Because I had such a huge response last time, I didn't know what to blog about next.  There is no way I can top the emotional rollercoaster of my last post, so I chose something that has been more consistent in my life.  

I was so blessed in college to have a really tight-knit group of girlfriends.  We became friends the first weekend of school during Katrina, and we have stayed friends since then.  The girl who brought me into this friend group is my dear, beautiful friend, Sarah Beth.  We have been through so much over our years together.  We have brushed our teeth together, we have camped together, we have rolled down hills together, we have laughed and cried together.  I thought it was only appropriate to post a few pics from our journey.

This is SB and me at her gorgeous wedding...well, waiting in the dressing room.  It was a fantastic night and probably the most beautiful reception I have ever been to.  A few months after SB's wedding, the girls got together for dinner, and as girls, we talked about girly stuff like significant others, work, and the conversation led to recipes.  Sarah Beth said she made her Babba's (grandmother) mac and cheese all the time.  She told me that it is a really easy, good recipe.  She gave me the recipe, and I waited...and I waited... and I waited.  I was too scared to make a recipe that someone's Babba had made!  No one can make food better than Babba.  Finally, a few weeks ago, I made it, and it is probably the most delicious thing I have ever created.  I am not exaggerating.  Matt took a few bites and finally slammed down his fork and said, "Everything else on this plate is crap and I don't want to eat it so I can eat more mac and cheese."  This is Babba's Mac and Cheese.

 Babba's Mac and Cheese

Don't be afraid!  You can do it.  Not just Babba's can make something delicious!

The star players are macaroni, cheddar, 2 eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.  That's it!  Does it get any easier?  You probably have all of these things in your kitchen waiting on you.

Firstly, you must cook your pasta according to the package directions.  Use 8oz of macaroni, which I found to be about 2 cups.

While your pasta is cooking, lightly beat your eggs.  Add 1 1/2 cups of milk to the lightly beaten eggs. 

Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper to your milk/egg mixture.

Drain your pasta and grab a 9x9 casserole dish.  Spray the dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Layer 1/3 of your noodles on the bottom of the dish

Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheddar cheese on top of the pasta

Add another 1/3 of the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the cheese

Add the last 1/3 of the noodles and RESERVE the rest of the cheese for later.

Pour your egg/milk mixture over your macaroni

Cover your delicious mixture and put it in a 350 degree oven for 30-45 minutes.  

Remove your casserole dish from the oven and uncover it.  Now it starts getting difficult...the smell starts overwhelming the other senses, and you will become basically useless.

Cover the mac and cheese with the last 1/3 of the cheese and sprinkle the top with paprika.  Let the mac and cheese stand for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.  Honestly, I did not make it quite 10 minutes.  I found a shovel and started pouring cheese and pasta and  I think a little bit of cocaine into my mouth.  I could not stop.  Okay, that may have only happened in my fat kid brain, but sometimes I really miss that kid.  

I am honestly surprised that I got a picture of this without a fork it in it, because it really was devoured shortly after.  Matt actually said, "This is hands down the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had."  So with all of this said, I do not have to say, I hope you enjoy, because I know you will.  This is not a suggestion.  Make this recipe and enjoy!

Ingredients

8oz of macaroni

2 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar

1 1/2 cups of milk

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook pasta.  Layer 1/3 of the noodles in a lightly greased casserole dish.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese.  Repeat layers.  End with the noodles.  Pour over the milk mixture.  Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.  Uncover and top with cheese and paprika.  Let stand for 10 minutes.