Name: Miracle Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups milk (divided, $0.70); 2 cups dry macaroni ( about 1/2 lb. $0.65); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($1.25); 3/4 tsp salt ($0.04); 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional $0.04); 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional $0.02); 10-15 cranks fresh cracked pepper (optional $0.02)

Ingredients

4 serv.

2 1/4 cups milk (divided, $0.70)
2 cups dry macaroni ( about 1/2 lb. $0.65)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($1.25)
3/4 tsp salt ($0.04)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional $0.04)
1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional $0.02)
10-15 cranks fresh cracked pepper (optional $0.02)

Instructions

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1 Combine the dry macaroni and 2 cups of milk in a medium pot. Place a lid on top and bring it up to a boil over medium/high heat while occasionally stirring.
2 As soon as it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is tender (about 10 minutes). Make sure to stir often during this process to keep the pasta from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot. Promptly replace the lid each time you finish stirring to help hold in the steam.
3 Once the pasta is soft and has absorbed most of the milk, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and dijon, or the spices of your choice. If the mixture begins to look dry, add the remaining 1/4 cup of milk.
4 Turn the heat off and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately.