• Shred cheese, mix 4 cups sharp and 2 cups gouda together to create cheese blend
• Seperate cheese into 3 cups for sauce, 1.5 cups for middle layer and 1.5 cups for top layer
• Spray a 9x13" baking dish and set aside
• Preheat oven to 350
• Cook pasta according to package directions. If pasta finishes before cheese sauce, strain and mix with a little butter so it does not stick together.

While Pasta is Cooking - Make Cheese Sauce

• Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook for approximately 1-2 minutes whisking constantly. Pour in the milk and stir until smooth. This can take a few minutes. Once smooth, add in the half and half and continue to cook.
• Continue to cook and mixing almost constantly until the mixture thickens. It will thicken. This is where your patience will be tested! Continue to cook until it is a thick sauce. This can take between 5-10 minutes depending on your heat. Stir constantly so it does not burn.
• Once thick, add in 1.5 cups of cheese blend. Stir for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and smooth. Add in remaining 1.5 cups of cheese and stir until smooth. Turn off heat.
• Optional: This would be a good place to add in seasoning if you'd like. I like mine plain, so I don't even add in pepper. But now that you have the cheese sauce you can season with anything you'd like!

Assemble Mac and Cheese into Baking Pan

• If you cook the sauce in a large enough pan, combine the strained pasta into the pan with the sauce. If not, mix pasta and cheese sauce in a pan or bowl.
• Put half the pasta mixture down into the pan and sprinkle with 1.5 cups of the grated cheese.
• Add the remaining pasta on top of that layer, and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.

Baking Mac and Cheese

• Bake pasta for about 30 minutes at 350 until bubbly. I also broil for 2-3 minutes to get a crispy cheese topping.
• Try to allow it to cool before tasting so you don't burn your mouth, but sometimes, this is hard to do.
• Enjoy!