Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with Bertha's highly requested macaroni and cheese, a dish that has captivated the hearts of many. This delectable casserole, often referred to as the "golden standard" of comfort food, is renowned for its creamy, cheesy goodness that promises an explosion of flavors in every bite. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the culinary journey of creating Bertha's masterpiece, ensuring a delightful and memorable dining experience.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.
- Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Creamy and cheesy, this homemade mac and cheese recipe is just the ticket for traditional comfort food, but with lots of mix-in possibilities that help you put a flavor-forward twist on a classic recipe. Check out the Expert Tips section below for suggestions on adding bacon, caramelized onions, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and even lobster.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.
- While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constanly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
- Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
- Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 560 mg
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
'GOT SOME CRUST' MACARONI AND CHEESE
Delicious macaroni casserole, topped with crispy and cheesy crust.
Provided by Chris T
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and mix with half of the butter.
- While the macaroni is boiling, melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onions, and cook until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the flour, and cook 5 minutes longer. Add the milk and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook and stir until the milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Once thick and smooth, stir in the salt, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, mustard, 2 cups of Cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheeses have melted, then stir in the macaroni until evenly coated. Scrape into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the top. Toss the remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese with the dry bread crumbs in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the macaroni is hot and the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.9 calories, Carbohydrate 23.2 g, Cholesterol 45.2 mg, Fat 15.5 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 532.4 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE
We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!
Provided by Sageca
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
- Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
- The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
- Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
- When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
- Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
- Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
- Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
- Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.
DELUXE MACARONI 'N' CHEESE
Our six grandchildren, who don't think a meal is complete without macaroni and cheese, love this creamy version featuring cheddar and cottage cheese.-Bertha Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, garlic salt and pepper. Add cheddar cheese; mix well. Add macaroni and stir until coated. , Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 13g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 492mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 14g protein.
MACARONI AND THREE CHEESES
This luxurious macaroni and cheese keeps unbaked in the refrigerator for up to a day; in the oven, it turns piping hot and creamy inside, and golden brown on top in less than an hour. Substitute your favorite melting cheeses (mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and fontina are great options), or vary the proportions of the ones listed here.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish (oval or 9-by-13-inch rectangle); set aside.
- Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente. Drain pasta, and return to pot.
- While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Transfer 2 tablespoons melted butter to a small bowl; set aside for topping. Add flour and mustard powder to remaining butter in saucepan. Cook, whisking, 1 minute (do not let flour darken). Whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove sauce from heat. Gradually whisk in cheeses; add Worcestershire sauce, and season generously with salt and pepper. Add sauce to pasta, and toss to combine; transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Place bread in food processor; pulse until very coarse crumbs form (you should have about 3 cups). Add reserved melted butter, and pulse just to moisten. Scatter crumbs over pasta in baking dish. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.)
- Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. (If refrigerated, bake for 30 to 35 minutes.) Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 584 g, Fat 28 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 24 g
BERTHA'S "HIGHLY-REQUESTED" MACARONI & CHEESE
This is my mother-in-law's recipe for mac-n-cheese. It is heavenly and disappears quickly every time it's made. Around the holiday's, she gets many requests to make it because it is without a doubt the most delicious mac-n-cheese recipe many folks believe they've ever tasted (I happen to agree with that whole-heartedly, which is why I'm sharing it with you!).
Provided by Meghan Williams
Categories Cheese
Time 55m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta as directed.
- Butter 9x13-inch pan and sprinkle with some of the first bag of shredded cheese (2 tbsp or to taste).
- Drain pasta and leave sitting in strainer while mixing liquids.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the two eggs until mixed.
- Mix in both cans of evaporated milk.
- Mix in sugar, Lawry's, white pepper, Accent, and cayenne pepper.
- Put pasta in bowl and add liquid mixture- liquid should cover pasta (or be within 1/4")- if it doesn't, add evaporated milk from the third can until it does. Add the rest of the first bag of shredded cheese.
- Stir until mixed completely.
- Pour mixture into 9x13-inch buttered pan.
- Spread second bag of shredded cheese evenly across the top.
- Cook at 350°F for 40 minutes or until brown and bubbly.
- Enjoy!
- GREAT TIP: To increase the moisture, cook your pasta the day before and let it soak in the liquid mixture (everything but the cheese). Leave it covered overnight in the refrigerator - the next day the pasta will have absorbed a good portion of the liquid so you'll need to use a couple extra cans of evaporated milk and perhaps 1 more egg, but the texture is oh-so lovely!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 422.1, Fat 21.5, SaturatedFat 12.9, Cholesterol 105.5, Sodium 339.1, Carbohydrate 35.3, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 3.4, Protein 21.5
Tips for Making the Best Bertha's Highly Requested Macaroni and Cheese:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the final dish. Use fresh pasta, high-quality cheese, and fresh vegetables for the best flavor.
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Pasta should be cooked al dente, meaning it should have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and lose its shape.
- Make a Roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. It also adds a rich, nutty flavor to the dish.
- Use a Variety of Cheeses: Bertha's recipe calls for a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. You can also experiment with other cheeses, such as Gruyère, Gouda, or Fontina.
- Season Generously: Don't be afraid to season your macaroni and cheese well. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all essential seasonings for this dish.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: The macaroni and cheese should be baked until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This will give it a crispy texture and a delicious flavor.
Conclusion:
Bertha's Highly Requested Macaroni and Cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, tender pasta, and crispy topping, it's the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether you're serving it as a main course or a side dish, this macaroni and cheese is sure to be a hit. The tips provided in this summary will help you make the best Bertha's Highly Requested Macaroni and Cheese possible. From using fresh ingredients to cooking the pasta al dente, each tip is essential for creating a delicious and memorable dish. So next time you're in the mood for some macaroni and cheese, give Bertha's recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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