hump day comfort food...

What can make a rainy, dreary Hump Day better?!?  Baked macaroni and cheese, of course!

Chams and I have wanted to make home-made mac and cheese for a while.  Our last shot at it was pathetic...a major let down.  This time, we chose a recipe with smoked Gouda and cream cheese, in my opinion, an instant success. 

We found the recipe in Southern Living and have been holding on to the edition for months now.  It's debut at the Chambless Ranch was last night and it was stunning...

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese:

1 lb. uncooked corkscrew pasta
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 can fat-free evaporated milk
1 c shredded smoked Gouda cheese
1/2 c shredded sharp Cheddar
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper, divided
1 8 oz. pkg chopped smoked ham
Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/4 c cornflakes, crushed (we used Ritz crackers)
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, melt 2 T butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.  Gradually whisk in flour.  Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.  Gradually whisk in milk and evaporated milk until smooth, 8-10 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Whisk in Gouda cheese, next 3 ingredients and 1/8 tsp ground red pepper until smooth.  Remove from heat, and stir in ham and pasta.  Pour pasta mixture into 9 x 13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Stir together cereal, butter and remaining ground red pepper and sprinkle over pasta mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!!

It was absolutely wonderful!!!  We substituted bacon instead of the ham, but the ham probably would've been better.  It was delicious nonetheless.  It warmed us and comforted us, which led to a water fight in the kitchen.  I wish I could say that I won.  Thanks to the mac and cheese for brightening up a dreary Hump Day!!!