Macaroni & Cheese in a Crockpot???

Yes!!! In the sumer you can still make many of your family's favorites in your crock pot. Not only is mac-n' cheese wonderful cooked this way, not at all dry like sometimes happens in the oven... this method won't heat up your kitchen, but... this recipe will heat your taste buds!

Macaroni and Cheese

~ with a "kick" ~

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground white pepper

4 cups milk

1 lb shredded colby-jack cheese (2-3 cups)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 lb fully cooked macaroni

Cook your macaroni, (elbow or shells work beautifully,) rinse in cool water, drain and put it back in the pan. Melt butter in another sauce pan and add the flour, cook until bubbly and smooth. Add the salt and pepper (you can use regular pepper, you will just see the specks,) and then the milk, stirring often to keep lumps from forming. Add the cheese and red pepper (use less than the recipe calls for if you don't like things spicy,) and stir until the sauce is smooth again (don't over stir or your sauce will become stringy. Add sauce to the macaroni and stir just enough to cover all the macaroni. (the sauce will be quite soupy.) Dump everything into a 4-5 qt crockpot and cook covered on low for 3-4 hours. If you have a warm setting you can leave this heating all day and it will be perfect for serving...

Serve with steamed veggies and a salad for a meatless meal or as a side dish with grilled chicken/beef. This recipe is a rave at every potluck I take it to... I never have any leftovers to bring home, and it stays warm in the crockpot. Serves 6 as a main dish, 8-10 as a side.