Baked Macaroni Night

So after a mini-concert in our gameroom.....ate a bunch of trick or treat candies while kids are in school...I woke up with a really sore throat....Then I found out that we are having unexpected visitor, my Sister-in-law and nephew. With my body and throat aching, I manage to accomplish quite a bit. Swept, mop, vacuumed and wax the floor, pick-up the mess in the gameroom, clean my daughter's room wash ALL the dishes, clean our room, tidy-up the back porch...That's a great amount of work for someone who is starting to get sick......

Today is the first day I get to be formally introduced to my sister-in-law and actually hang-out with her for a lil bit before she head up north with her son. I let her and hubby catch-up for the most part and today I got to talk to her....

Cute lil nephew loves the karate gear

They found a perfect play area in the house

Fence keep falling down

Big kid joined in

They hardly get together so I decided to make something good for dinner.

Baked Macaroni Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni

Meat Sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onions, diced, minced garlic
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can Spaghetti sauce of your choice
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mornay Sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fresh milk/1 can evaporated milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese
• 2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese

Prepare the elbow macaroni according to instructions in the package and intentionally cut the cooking time so that the macaroni is not well done (the macaroni will be fully cooked once baked) then drain and set aside.

To make spaghetti sauce: Place ground beef in a preheated pan and fry until light brown. Add the garlic and onions. Saute together for a few minutes until fragrant. Pour in spaghetti sauce and little bit of water. Add red bell pepper. Season with salt, sugar, and pepper. Stir until combined. Cover and simmer over low heat for at least 15 -20 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool down for a few minutes.

Save 1/4 cup of sauce and spread evenly into the bottom of baking dish.

Add butter in a saucepan.

While melting, add in flour and continuously stirring over low heat until flour is fully dissolved. Pour in fresh milk little by little; continue to whisk until smooth, lumps free and well combined. Turn off heat. Sprinkle in grated cheddar cheese and stir well until sauce is creamy and cheeses melted. Allow to cool down for a few minutes.

Sprinkle in grated cheddar cheese and stir well until sauce is creamy and cheeses melted. Allow to cool down for a few minutes.

Mix and toss cooked macaroni with cooked spaghetti sauce. .

Set aside into the baking dish

Pour white sauce over the top of macaroni noodles and spread evenly. Sprinkle on top with generous amount of mozzarella, cheddar or Parmesan cheese. (The type of cheese is optional, you can use the cheese of your choice).

Place in preheated oven at 350 degrees F and bake for at least 30 minutes or until top is slightly brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool down.

It is not burnt its just the way it looks in pic when i took the shot in the oven.

I didnt get to take a picture of the first one because it was attacked.

My sister-in-law had just left tonight and I hope she had a great time with us. Meanwhile I can curl up in  the blanket now and get over this nasty cold, flu-like feeling.