homemade baked mac and cheese with evaporated milk

To further bring out the flavor of the cheese, I use a bit of dry or prepared mustard (either will work). I love this quick and easy recipe for gatherings, where mac and cheese is always popular. And I believe this recipe is just fine in that context. Long shelf life in the absence of refrigeration is a lasting advantage of evaporated milk. As one reviewer suggested, (if fresh milk is available) why not just make a bechamel with whole milk, butter and flour rather than this base of evaporated milk, water and corn starch? Answer: because the source of this recipe is from the manufacturer of evaporated milk, lol. By diluting evaporated milk with water as in this recipe, the “creamy” viscosity is pretty much lost. Since evaporated milk is about a 60% reduction of milk itself, one may wonder what sense does it make to reconstitute 24 ounces of evaporated milk with 16 ounces of water, rather than just using whole milk? The advantages of evaporated milk up until the point of reconstitution, are a long shelf life in the absence of refrigeration. My husband has requested I keep this recipe and make it again.

Made this for Christmas Eve and it was easy to make and received rave reviews from the kids and adults alike.

Homemade baked mac and cheese with evaporated milk