Freeze-Dried Mac and Cheese with Stacy Lyn Harris

Stacy Lyn Harris — cookbook author, gardener, mother of seven, and a guest chef on RFDTV's Rural Heritage — grew up in the South making hearty, from-scratch macaroni and cheese for family dinners. Her version, adapted from "Served Up With Love," freeze-dries well, which means a family favorite can go from scratch-made to make-ahead without losing what makes it good.

Melissa's Macaroni and Cheese

Makes 1 quart-sized dish; roughly triple for a 9x13-inch casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1¼ cups milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the flour to form a roux.
3. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
4. Add the cheese and stir until fully melted.
5. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a buttered casserole dish.
6. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Freeze-Drying and Rehydrating

Let the baked mac and cheese cool completely, then freeze-dry it on trays and store in an airtight container. To bring it back, you've got three options:

• Oven: 350°F for about 15 minutes, covered.
• Microwave: Quick and convenient for a single portion.
• Boiling water: If you don't have access to an oven or microwave, submerging the sealed portion in boiling water works in a pinch.

More From Stacy Lyn Harris

Meet Stacy Lyn Harris has more on her background, and you can find more of her recipes and writing at gameandgarden.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can mac and cheese be freeze-dried?
Yes — bake it fully, let it cool completely, then freeze-dry on trays and store in an airtight container until you're ready to rehydrate it.

How do you rehydrate freeze-dried mac and cheese without a microwave?
Submerge the sealed portion in boiling water, or warm it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, covered.

Who is Stacy Lyn Harris?
A cookbook author, gardener, mother of seven, and guest chef on RFDTV's Rural Heritage show, known for hearty, from-scratch Southern family recipes.