Macaroni & Cheese

Going with the theme of great cook-out foods, I thought I'd feature another traditional favorite - mac'n'cheese! While our Oldest Girl loves the orange stuff that comes in a blue box, The Boy will only eat homemade macaroni and cheese. I'm perfectly okay with them having this for lunch along with fruit and a glass of ice water. It's definitely one of their favorite meals. (Little One gets steamed veggies like broccoli or peas stirred into hers.)

Macaroni & Cheese
8 ounces pasta (macaroni, shells, rotini, penne)
1/2-3/4 cup milk
12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
1 egg
1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to cooking pot. Stir in milk, cubed cheese, egg, cottage cheese, salt and pepper. Pour into a greased 9-inch baking dish. Top with shredded cheese and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer, until milk is completely absorbed and cheese is just beginning to brown.