Name: Cafeteria Noodles recipe
Ingredients: 1 pound Egg Noodles: Egg noodles are the quintessential noodle for this dish, providing a tender and slightly chewy texture that perfectly complements the creamy sauce. Look for wide or medium egg noodles – their broad surface area allows them to soak up the delicious sauce and deliver maximum flavor in every bite. You can use dried egg noodles, which are readily available and pantry-stable.; 1/2 cup Butter: Butter is the foundation of the rich and flavorful sauce, adding a luxurious creaminess and depth of flavor. Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish and allow you to season it to your preference. Butter also contributes to the beautiful golden-brown crust that forms during baking.; 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour acts as the thickening agent for the creamy sauce, creating a smooth and velvety texture. It’s crucial for binding the sauce ingredients together and preventing it from being too thin or watery. Ensure you whisk the flour thoroughly into the melted butter to prevent lumps from forming in the sauce.; 4 cups Milk: Milk is the liquid base of the creamy sauce, providing moisture and contributing to the overall richness and creaminess. Whole milk will yield the richest and creamiest results, but 2% milk can also be used for a slightly lighter version. You can even use evaporated milk for an extra creamy and concentrated flavor, adjusting the amount of milk accordingly if needed.; 2 cups Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds depth of savory flavor to the sauce, enhancing the overall taste profile and complementing the creamy and cheesy elements. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content. You can also use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, although chicken broth is more traditional for Cafeteria Noodles.; 1 teaspoon Salt: Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the casserole. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste as needed. Remember that cheese and broth also contain salt, so season gradually.; 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle warmth and spice that complements the creamy sauce and cheesy flavors. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its brighter flavor, but pre-ground black pepper works just fine.; 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder provides a mild garlic flavor that enhances the savory notes of the casserole without being overpowering. It’s a convenient way to add a touch of garlic flavor to the sauce. You can also use a clove of minced fresh garlic sautéed in the butter for a more pronounced garlic flavor, if desired.; 4 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is the star of the cheesy goodness in Cafeteria Noodles, providing a sharp, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Use sharp or medium cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own cheese from a block will melt more smoothly and often has a better flavor. You can also use a blend of cheddar and other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby for a more complex cheese flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Noodle Casserole:

1 pound Egg Noodles: Egg noodles are the quintessential noodle for this dish, providing a tender and slightly chewy texture that perfectly complements the creamy sauce. Look for wide or medium egg noodles – their broad surface area allows them to soak up the delicious sauce and deliver maximum flavor in every bite. You can use dried egg noodles, which are readily available and pantry-stable.

1/2 cup Butter: Butter is the foundation of the rich and flavorful sauce, adding a luxurious creaminess and depth of flavor. Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish and allow you to season it to your preference. Butter also contributes to the beautiful golden-brown crust that forms during baking.

1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour acts as the thickening agent for the creamy sauce, creating a smooth and velvety texture. It’s crucial for binding the sauce ingredients together and preventing it from being too thin or watery. Ensure you whisk the flour thoroughly into the melted butter to prevent lumps from forming in the sauce.

4 cups Milk: Milk is the liquid base of the creamy sauce, providing moisture and contributing to the overall richness and creaminess. Whole milk will yield the richest and creamiest results, but 2% milk can also be used for a slightly lighter version. You can even use evaporated milk for an extra creamy and concentrated flavor, adjusting the amount of milk accordingly if needed.

2 cups Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds depth of savory flavor to the sauce, enhancing the overall taste profile and complementing the creamy and cheesy elements. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content. You can also use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, although chicken broth is more traditional for Cafeteria Noodles.

1 teaspoon Salt: Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the casserole. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste as needed. Remember that cheese and broth also contain salt, so season gradually.

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle warmth and spice that complements the creamy sauce and cheesy flavors. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its brighter flavor, but pre-ground black pepper works just fine.

1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder provides a mild garlic flavor that enhances the savory notes of the casserole without being overpowering. It’s a convenient way to add a touch of garlic flavor to the sauce. You can also use a clove of minced fresh garlic sautéed in the butter for a more pronounced garlic flavor, if desired.

4 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is the star of the cheesy goodness in Cafeteria Noodles, providing a sharp, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Use sharp or medium cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own cheese from a block will melt more smoothly and often has a better flavor. You can also use a blend of cheddar and other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby for a more complex cheese flavor.

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Egg Noodles

Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Salting the water seasons the noodles from the inside out and enhances their flavor. Use enough water to ensure the noodles have room to move freely and cook evenly.

Cook Noodles: Add the egg noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” in Italian, indicating the noodles should be cooked through but still have a slight firmness to the bite. Overcooking will result in mushy noodles in the casserole.

Drain Noodles: Once cooked, drain the noodles well in a colander. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water, which could make the casserole watery. Set the drained noodles aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Melt Butter: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt completely and become slightly foamy.

Make Roux: Add the all-purpose flour to the melted butter. Whisk constantly and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. This mixture of butter and flour is called a roux, and it’s the foundation of the creamy sauce. Cooking the roux for a short time removes the raw flour taste.

Whisk in Milk and Broth: Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, a little at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. Whisking constantly prevents lumps from forming and creates a smooth sauce. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken slightly.

Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Simmering allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Season Sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Cafeteria Noodle Casserole

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the casserole in, allowing for even baking and proper cooking.

Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or casserole dish. Greasing prevents the casserole from sticking to the dish and makes serving easier.

Combine Noodles and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained egg noodles to the creamy cheese sauce in the saucepan. Gently stir to combine, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.

Stir in Cheese (Reserve some for topping): Stir in 3 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the noodle and sauce mixture. Mix until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the sauce, creating a cheesy and gooey casserole base. Reserve the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for topping.

Pour into Baking Dish: Pour the noodle and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Ensure the mixture is distributed uniformly across the dish for even baking.

Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. This cheese topping will melt and create a golden brown and cheesy crust during baking.

Step 4: Bake the Casserole

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.

Check for Doneness: The casserole is done when it is heated through, bubbly, and the cheese topping is melted and nicely browned. You can insert a fork into the center to check if it’s heated through.

Step 5: Cool Slightly and Serve

Cool Slightly: Let the casserole cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve without being too runny.

Garnish (Optional): Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh parsley, if desired, for a pop of color.

Serve Warm: Serve the Cafeteria Noodles warm and enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic dish! It’s delicious on its own or as a side dish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 70mg