My first reaction when I saw a recipe in a hundred-year-old cookbook for Macaroni and White Sauce, was Mac and Cheese – yes. Mac and White Sauce. . . hmm, that’s different. But, I decided to give Macaroni and White Sauce a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the delicate taste of Macaroni and White Sauce. It’s similar to Mac and Cheese and has a creamy milkiness but without a cheesy taste.
Here’s the original recipe:
A hundred years ago macaroni came in long pieces that were broken into pieces. I just used the modern small pieces of macaroni when I made the recipe. I think that the tablespoon of salt was supposed to be added to the water that the macaroni was boiled in – however, that seems like a lot to me, so I put 1 teaspoon salt in the water.
Here’s the recipe updated for modern cooks:
Macaroni with White Sauce
1/2 cup macaroni
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Put water and 1 teaspoon salt into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil using high heat. Add macaroni, and reduce heat so that the water gently simmers. Cook the macaroni until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
In the meantime, in another pan, using medium heat, melt butter, then stir in the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually, add the milk while stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the white sauce begins to thicken. Stir in the macaroni and gently simmer for 5 – 10 minutes while stirring occasionally, or until excess liquid has been absorbed by macaroni. Remove from heat and put in serving dish.
That is interesting that the macaroni had to be broken.
It seems like it would be a real nuisance to have to break the macaroni – but I suppose that back then, it was just the way it was done.
Very interesting, Sheryl, the milky taste without cheese. It looks so creamy and delicious.
I liked it. It was good.
Just shows that it doesn’t have to be yellow/orange to taste good!
Exactly – marcaroni is tasty even with a very basic sauce.
I didn’t realize that about the macaroni. Perhaps this recipe was a blank canvas and the cooks tossed in whatever else they had on hand.
Maybe – I like how you describe the recipe as a blank canvas.
This is the base for a friend’s favorite comfort food! He makes the macaroni with white sauce and then adds a can of stewed tomatoes… It is his go to when feeling under the weather!
Interesting – I won’t have thought to add stewed tomatoes to this.