Best 10 Best Ever Mac Cheese Recipes

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Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients and flavors, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a party, there is sure to be a mac and cheese recipe that is perfect for you. This article will provide you with all the information you need to make the best mac and cheese ever, from choosing the right ingredients to cooking it to perfection.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER



The Best Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe Ever image

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

8 ounces macaroni ( or other medium tubular pasta (like penne or conchiglie)* (1/2 pound or about 1 and 3/4 cups))
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika ((plus more for sprinkling on top))
2 1/2 cups 2% milk
3 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese ((approx. 12 ounces) **)

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

BEST MAC 'N CHEESE EVER!



Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever! image

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

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 cup evaporated milk
4 extra large eggs
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend
6 slices processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), torn into 4 pieces
½ cup butter, melted

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

BEST EVER MAC & CHEESE



Best Ever Mac & Cheese image

To make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! -Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
4 slices hearty white bread (4 ounces), torn into large pieces
6 tablespoons butter, cubed and divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup (4 ounces) cubed process cheese (Velveeta)
1 block (8 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 block (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pan. Pulse bread, 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until coarsely ground., Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add ground mustard and cayenne; stir until blended. Stir in flour until smooth, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Velveeta. Slowly add remaining cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until cheese is melted. Add Worcestershire and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top of casserole. Bake until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 762 calories, Fat 43g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 134mg cholesterol, Sodium 1138mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

BEST EVER CAULIFLOWER MAC & CHEESE



Best Ever Cauliflower Mac & Cheese image

We all know that the best topping for cauliflower is cheese, now you can have both your comfort food and your veggie all in one bowl. Inspired by Jamie Oliver's cauliflower mac & cheese, this one is a creamy, vegetarian dish with hidden veggies for your kids!

Provided by colleenfitzgerald_1

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups cauliflower, fresh or frozen
8 ounces macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cups milk
3/4 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cook the cauliflower in simmering water until tender. Use a slotted spoon to remove.
  • Cut the cauliflower florets into bite size pieces.
  • Return water to the boil and cook the pasta in the same water. Drain.
  • Combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in medium sauce pan.
  • Add flour mixed with salt, nutmeg and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
  • Slowly add the milk and cream, stirring continuously until blended.
  • Simmer for 2 minutes or until it thickens, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat and add the cheese, stirring until melted.
  • Combine the pasta, cauliflower and cheese sauce and transfer to a buttered casserole dish.
  • Top with the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, until the breadcrumbs form a crispy crust.

BEST EVER MAC AND CHEESE



BEST EVER Mac and Cheese image

Creamy comfort food!

Provided by FrackFamily5 CA->CT

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (10 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • 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 macaroni is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, and cooked macaroni in a large baking dish. Stir in the Cheddar cheese. Arrange the tomatoes on top, then pour the tomato liquid over the casserole. Season with salt and black pepper.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then mix the macaroni and cheese thoroughly. Continue to bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 15 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 730 calories, Carbohydrate 61.7 g, Cholesterol 107.9 mg, Fat 40.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 24.9 g, Sodium 734.7 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

REALLY THE BEST-EVER MAC 'N' CHEESE



Really the Best-Ever Mac 'n' Cheese image

Better than the normal, everyday, mac-n-cheese. I found this recipe online. Note: Use large shells such as chiocciole or conchiglie, or large elbow macaroni. A stout would go very well with this dish.

Provided by spacholl

Categories     Brunch

Time 1h20m

Yield 12-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon melted butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
5 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
1 lb pasta shells (cooked according to package directions in salted water) or 1 lb elbow macaroni (cooked according to package directions in salted water)
1/2 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Toss the panko bread crumbs with the melted butter on a small baking pan. Toast the bread crumbs until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • In a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted, then stir in the flour. Heat and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the milk. Add the dry mustard, white and cayenne pepper, nutmeg, salt and bay leaf. Heat and stir to boiling, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf.
  • Stir in 3 cups of the cheddar until melted. Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni in a large bowl, stirring until all of the macaroni is coated. Pour the macaroni into a well-buttered 9-by-13-inch casserole. Drizzle heavy cream around the edges of the casserole. Sprinkle on it the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese, then the toasted bread crumbs.
  • Cover the casserole with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered an additional 10 minutes. Put under a preheated broiler for 5 minutes.

BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER!!



Best Mac and Cheese Ever!! image

This recipe makes the most wonderful creamy rich mac and cheese I've ever had. it is easy to make, looks and tastes wonderful and everyone loves it

Provided by lizzypoo222

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb uncooked noodles (I like the shells but anything kind will work)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
4 cups whole milk or 4 cups half-and-half
1 lb shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of melted butter

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350º F.
  • Cook noodles as directed on box.
  • While noodles are cooking, melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute-mixture will thicken. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring constantly until cheese is melted.
  • Drain rinsed noodles. Gently stir into cheese sauce. Pour into un-greased 4-quart casserole.
  • Stir together bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle over the top of the Mac and Cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bread crumbs are toasted and cheese is bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 564.5, Fat 32.1, SaturatedFat 19.3, Cholesterol 126.2, Sodium 701, Carbohydrate 46.6, Fiber 2, Sugar 6.8, Protein 22.4

HOMEMADE MAC & CHEESE (THE BEST YOU'LL EVER HAVE)



Homemade Mac & Cheese (The Best You'll Ever Have) image

I made this up today and it turned out even better than I imagined. I took ideas from many differnet mac & cheese recipes and tailored them to my preference. Please try this recipe and rate it! I have been on recipe zaar for years and no one has tried or rated any of my recipes yet.

Provided by Princess Peggy

Categories     Cheese

Time 50m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb elbow macaroni
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces sour cream
1 yellow onion, chopped
havarti cheese
muenster cheese
extra sharp white cheddar cheese
breadcrumbs
garlic powder

Steps:

  • Boil water.
  • Add macaroni. Cook until tender.
  • Meanwhile, saute onion in olive oil, then set aside.
  • Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Heat cream cheese and sour cream mixture over medium heat until uniform.
  • Add desired amount of garlic powder.
  • When mixture is smooth, add cheeses, bit by bit.
  • I don't know the exact measurements for the cheeses, I just got all the cheeses in standard blocks and shredded it all. It looked like alot to me.
  • Once all the shredded cheese is incorporated, combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and caramelized onions in a baking dish.
  • top with bread crumbs, and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

THE BEST MAC & CHEESE EVER - REALLY!



The Best Mac & Cheese Ever - Really! image

So,Emeril had this national mac & cheese contest and this is the winning recipe. Yes, it takes a bit longer to make, but it oh so worth it. Got rave reviews every time I've made it and will never use another mac & cheese recipe again.

Provided by Mary Beam

Categories     Pasta

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 head of garlic roasted
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb cavatappi pasta
1/2 lb applewood smoked bacon
1 1/2 c fresh white bread crumbs, 5 slices, crusts removed
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
8 Tbsp butter
1/4 c minced shallots
1/2 c flour
1 qt whole milk
6 oz gruyere cheese, grated
8 oz extra sharp cheddar, grated
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • 2. To roast garlic: Slice ½ inch off the top of the entire head of garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap garlic head tightly in a square of heavy foil and roast until tender - about 45 minutes. Remove garlic pulp by squeezing garlic head. Smash cloves with a fork to form a paste.
  • 3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • 4. Cook bacon completely. Drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. Crumble bacon when cool.
  • 5. To make topping: Combine breadcrumbs, crumbled bacon, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Set aside.
  • 6. Turn the oven up to 375 degrees.
  • 7. Sauté shallots over low heat in reserved bacon fat for one minute. Add remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and continue to sauté shallots in butter and bacon fat until translucent.
  • 8. Add flour and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Increase heat to medium. Stirring constantly with a whisk, add milk and roasted garlic paste.
  • 9. Cook until sauce is thickened (coats the back of a spoon). Remove sauce from heat then add salt, pepper, nutmeg, Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
  • 10. Stir in cooked pasta. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle topping to cover entire top. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until sauce is bubbly and topping is browned. Enjoy!
  • 11. Hints: ....Roast the garlic well ahead, because you'll need to let it cool, or you'll burn your fingers squeezing out the pulp. Learned this the hard way! Also, I baked mine for 15 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered and it was perfect.

BEST EVER MAC N CHEESE



Best Ever Mac N Cheese image

Well I got this recipe fro an oldd friend of mines great grandmother. She told me the way she did it and told me to add my own personal spin to it, to make it my own. So I added a few things and turned it into a family classic

Provided by skky Brown

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb macaroni, dry
3 1/2 qt boiling water
2 Tbsp salt
1 1/2 pt milk
3 c cheddar cheese
2 c pepper jack cheese shredded
2 stick margarine
1 c flour
1 pinch cyanne pepper
1 c cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Pre-heat your oven to 375*
  • 2. In a large pot bring salted water to a boil
  • 3. add uncooked macaroni noodles
  • 4. After the noodles have cooked to al dente hold in cold water
  • 5. In a second lagre pot add milk bring to a slow simmer.
  • 6. Add salt, and pepper to milk
  • 7. Once milk has started to simmer slowly add your cheeses. One cup at a time. stirring after each addition of cheese. Be careful not to scorch your cheese and milk. If need be turn your temp. down
  • 8. In a small bowl add your flour to that add a 1/2 cup of your milk/cheese mixture. Stir until well incorperated. If you need to add more milk/cheese mixture.
  • 9. Add your flour mixture to your cheese/milk mixture let cook until flour taste is completly gone.
  • 10. Add butter/margerine to cheese mixture. Stir until butter/margerine is melted.
  • 11. Once your cheese mixture is complete add your macaroni noodles, slowly. Stir gently
  • 12. Add your noodles and cheese mixture to a oven safe deep dish pan. Do this in layers. After each layer add cheese. noodle mixture cheese ect.
  • 13. Once you have filled your pan (do not over fill) top with cheese and butter/margerine
  • 14. Plan pan in oven and allow to back for 45-60 minutes or until center is hot and sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted.
  • 15. You can add some crispy bacon bites if you eat pork.
  • 16. Serve with chicken, pork or beef with green beans your family will love you each time they have it.

Tips for Making the Best Mac and Cheese:

  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. You don't want the macaroni to be too soft or mushy, so cook it just until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. It also adds a rich, creamy flavor to the dish.
  • Use milk or cream. You can use either milk or cream to make the cheese sauce. Milk will make a thinner sauce, while cream will make a thicker, richer sauce.
  • Season the cheese sauce. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a bit of mustard or hot sauce for a little extra flavor.
  • Top with breadcrumbs. A layer of breadcrumbs on top of the mac and cheese will give it a crispy, golden brown crust.
  • Bake until bubbly. Bake the mac and cheese in the oven until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mac and cheese ever. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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