My son wanted mac and cheese with his birthday dinner, but I didn’t want to buy it at the deli with the fried chicken. Instead, I made this. It’s also great with toasted panko breadcrumbs sprinkled on top.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons sodium citrate
  • 200 grams (about 2 cups) melty cheese, grated (sharp cheddar, gouda, or whatever else you like)
  • 2–4 tablespoons butter

Directions

  1. Start macaroni boiling in a pot of salted water.
  2. Meanwhile, in a cold saucepan, add milk and sodium citrate; stir to combine. Add grated cheese and butter, then heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. When it reaches a simmer, remove from heat.
  3. Drain the macaroni and add to cheese sauce, stirring to evenly coat pasta. Adjust seasoning as desired. Let cool slightly to thicken before serving.