Mac and Cheese for a Crowd

I just love it when I do a make-ahead dish for a crowd. I came up with this variation when we were having a crab feasty at our house. There were some young kids coming and they requested Mac & Cheese for the little ones. Seems to me the adults there enjoyed it just as much as the kids did. This was perfect because it stayed hot while the people straggled in to eat. It's makes for a flexible meal schedule. Who doesn't need that these days. Enjoy!

Macaroni & Cheese for a crowd

• 1 16 oz. box elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 
• 5 cups milk
• 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

You will need a crockpot with a warm setting and a removable crock. Cook pasta according to package directions
adding 4 minutes to longest suggested cooking time. This will make your Mac & Cheese more tender.

Meanwhile place crock into oven then preheat oven to 350 degrees leaving crock to heat up with the oven.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Then blend in flour, salt & pepper; gradually whisking in milk. Add cheese and stir until cheese is melted. In a very large bowl mix together cheese mixture with cooked pasta.

Remove preheated crock with hot pads and be careful not to get burned. Spray crock with cooking spray;  add Mac & Cheese to crock.

Place crock back into the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Then remove from oven and stir mixture together well, you will notice some separation; place crock into heating element and turn onto warm setting. This will feed a large crowd and stays hot in the crockpot. A great make ahead side for a get together.