Macaroni and cheese, the iconic dish, is a beloved favorite, celebrated for its creamy texture, cheesy flavor, and the comforting satisfaction it brings to every bite. Whether it's a comforting weeknight dinner or a holiday feast centerpiece, creating an awesome mac and cheese is an art form that requires careful selection of ingredients, precise cooking techniques, and a touch of personal flair. Whether you prefer a classic version or are looking to explore new flavor combinations, this article will take you on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of crafting an unforgettable macaroni and cheese dish that will leave your taste buds singing and your heart content. So gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and let's dive into the world of macaroni and cheese perfection.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BEST MAC 'N CHEESE EVER!
This is the best mac 'n cheese ever! I started out by going through the recipes on this site and when I found one I wanted to try, I was putting together the first few ingredients and said, 'Ya know what would be great to add to this...' and that's where the 'Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever' was created. By the time I was done and it was served at our New Year's Day lunch everyone was raving about how delish it was. Try this easy recipe for a down-home Southern taste of the Best Baked Mac 'N Cheese Ever!
Provided by CASS CLARK
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain; pour macaroni into the prepared dish.
- Beat eggs, sour cream, seasoned salt, and black pepper into a smooth mixture; stir Cheddar cheese and Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese into mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour over macaroni and mix well. Top casserole with torn pieces of processed cheese. Drizzle melted butter over casserole, especially along the sides.
- Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 130.2 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 17.2 g, Sodium 551 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER
Super creamy and gloriously cheesy, this classic baked mac and cheese boasts a golden bubbling lid with ooey gooey goodness underneath.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Categories Main Course Side Dish
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
- Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
- Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
- Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 601 mg, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, ServingSize 1 serving
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is America's favorite comfort food--tender macaroni, rich and cheesy sauce and a crisp crumb topping.
Provided by McCormick Spice
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips McCormick®
Time 1h
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package for al dente pasta. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
- Melt butter in same saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and seasonings. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until well blended. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook 3 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add macaroni; toss gently to coat. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix panko and paprika; sprinkle evenly over top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.1 calories, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Cholesterol 64.9 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 550 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
AWESOME MAC AND CHEESE
Make and share this Awesome Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by basfishinlady
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- In medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, then whisk in warm milk a little at a time to make a white sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Mix in salt, pepper, and cayenne and stir frequently until sauce thickens.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella and jack cheese. Combine pasta with sace and stir well. Pour into baking dish. Use paprika on top if desired. Bake 45-60 minutes, or until top is the desired cripiness. Let rest 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 549.8, Fat 31.6, SaturatedFat 19.7, Cholesterol 95.3, Sodium 430.9, Carbohydrate 42.9, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 1, Protein 23.4
THE MOST AMAZING MACARONI AND CHEESE IN THE WORLD!
This macaroni and cheese is TO DIE FOR. People inhale it and drool over it as it's cooking, the aroma fills the whole house. Once it's on the table, it's gone in 3 seconds flat. It's pretty much AMAZING, if I do say so myself. DON'T skip any steps or substitute any of the ingredients, you have to make it just as it is for it to be amazing. NOT for the faint of heart! Quite an indulgence (look at the ingredients), but it's COMPLETELY worth it. It's the only way to make macaroni and cheese.
Provided by Cause Im awesome
Categories Cheese
Time 1h30m
Yield 1 pan, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Whisk eggs together in big bowl until frothy. Add Velveeta, butter, and 2 cups of the half-and-half.
- Add warm macaroni, mix until smooth.
- Add rest of half-and-half, 3 cups sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, the rest of the various cheeses, salt, and pepper, tossing together.
- Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of sharp yellow cheddar cheese and bake about 30 minutes more, until golden brown. If you want, you could dot the top with a few tiny pieces of butter, just to help it brown more.
- Serve hot. Enjoy!
MARVELOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the most awesome Macaroni & Cheese that we have ever eaten. It is a family favorite and we have it once a week. All four of my kids request it often, and my husband thinks it's incredible. Hope you enjoy this comfort food.
Provided by Karen..
Categories Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Drain, rinse and set aside.
- In same pot over low heat, melt the butter.
- Add flour, salt and pepper and whisk into melted butter until smooth.
- Simmer and stir until mixture thickens into a paste and is golden.
- Slowly add milk and whisk into butter mixture until smooth.
- Bring to boil and then simmer until thickened.
- There is no way to tell you how thick, except to say it should be thicker than gravy but not as thick as pudding.
- If you have made basic white sauce, you will know when it is thick enough.
- Remove pot from heat.
- Add cheddar cheese and stir until cheese starts to melt.
- Add macaroni and stir until coated.
- Pour into a 9 x 12 baking dish or 2 quart casserole.
- As an extra indulgence, you can sprinkle 4 oz more cheese on top.
- I only do this if I happen to buy a 12 oz bag or block instead of 8 oz.
- Bake about 20- 30 minutes, when you see top getting a bit crispy and brown.
AWESOME MAC & CHEESE
Okay, this is NOT diet friendly, and not really wallet friendly, but trust me on this one... If you make this once, you WILL NEVER EVER go back to other Mac and Cheese recipes... This is requested from me where ever I go and I make it for all family gatherings and my husband family is a huge family and the first time I showed up with this they told me that this had better be good, as they were very picky about their Mac and Cheese... needless to say, I have made it for the last 3 years for every holiday (since when did Arbor Day become such a big holiday)... This freezes very well and also halves very easily. Note - I buy a lot of this cheese in the pre-shredded bags, like the 5 Italian Cheese mixture, makes it so much easier. Also, for an easier time grating the soft cheeses, throw them in freezer for about 20 mins... that really helps!
Provided by 1weirdangel
Categories Cheese
Time 1h35m
Yield 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until slightly al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. When I say LARGE bowl, I mean LARGE!
- Add the Velveeta, butter and 2 cups of the half-and-half to the large bowl of eggs.
- Add the warm macaroni tossing until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- NOW - Get your big strong Man, son, or neighbor to help here! This can get really hard to stir --
- Add the remaining half-and-half, 3 cups of the sharp yellow Cheddar, the remaining grated cheeses, and salt and pepper, tossing until completely combined in the large bowl.
- Grease your pans with either a cooking spray or a little butter (hey, what is more butter at this point?).
- Pour the mixture into 9 by 13-inch casserole or baking dishes (approximately 3 (3-quart) baking dishes) and bake for 30 minutes. (I buy the disposable pans at the store, way easier).
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of sharp yellow cheese and bake until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes more. Watch it pretty close after about 15 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 550.7, Fat 35.5, SaturatedFat 21.2, Cholesterol 205.1, Sodium 535.5, Carbohydrate 32.1, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.3, Protein 25.4
WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE
It's a bold claim, but this mac and cheese from Kurt Beecher Dammeier's "Pure Flavor" cookbook is that good. Three types of cheese-cheddar, Gruyere, and Jack-add plenty of richness, while a touch of chipotle-chile powder imbues the dish with a subtle smoky flavor.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again.
- Stir together pasta and cheese sauce until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned in places, about 20 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.
REALLY AWESOME MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Really Awesome Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Normaone
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Butter a 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni al dente.
- Drain and place in the buttered dish.
- Add the cubed cheddar and combine.
- Whisk flour, salt, mustard, pepper, cayenne and nutmeg in a medium bowl until no lumps are visible.
- Gradually whisk in half-and-half, followed by the whipping cream and finally the sour cream.
- Add eggs and Worcestershire sauce.
- Whisk well to blend.
- Pour mixture over macaroni and cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle with the grated cheese.
- Bake in the center of the oven, 25 minutes until edges are set but center is still liquid.
- Remove from oven and let stand about 10 minutes to thicken sauce.
- The sauce will still be creamy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 387.7, Fat 29.3, SaturatedFat 17.8, Cholesterol 130.4, Sodium 582.3, Carbohydrate 18.7, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 1.4, Protein 12.9
Tips:
- Use a quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly impact the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar for a classic flavor, or experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or goat cheese, to create a unique flavor profile.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin or runny.
- Use milk or cream: Milk or cream is used to thin the cheese sauce and make it creamy. You can use whole milk, skim milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
- Season the sauce: Don't forget to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy in the cheese sauce.
- Use a variety of toppings: Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, bacon, jalapeños, or even lobster. Get creative and experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes and variations to choose from, there's sure to be a mac and cheese recipe that everyone will love. Whether you prefer a classic cheddar cheese sauce or something more unique, there's a recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed.
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