In the realm of comfort food, few dishes hold a more beloved place than Big Mama's Mac and Cheese. This iconic dish, with its creamy, cheesy sauce and perfectly cooked macaroni, has been passed down through generations, becoming a cherished tradition in many families. If you're seeking the ultimate recipe for this culinary delight, let us guide you through the secrets of creating the most delectable Big Mama's Mac and Cheese, sure to leave your taste buds singing and your heart yearning for more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This is a macaroni and cheese I first made 3 years ago when I was in California. When I got back to Texas I made it for my mom. This is now her favorite baked macaroni and cheese. She begs me to make it when I come to visit.
Provided by GEPETTO_69
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 100.1 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 1194 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
MOMMA'S DEEP-DISH MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
My momma makes the best (and easiest!) deep-dish macaroni and cheese. It's like a baked mac 'n' cheese pie with a combination of smoked Gouda, pepper Jack, mozzarella, cottage cheese, and more. It's one of our family's favorite dishes and a holiday must-have.
Provided by Matt Ciampa
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 7 x 11-inch (17 x 27 cm) baking dish with butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and return to the warm pot.
- Add butter to the macaroni and stir until melted and the noodles are well coated.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, cottage cheese, 1 cup cheddar, ½ cup Gouda, ½ cup pepper Jack, ½ cup mozzarella, the cheese sauce, evaporated milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne until well combined.
- Add the sauce to the pot with noodles and mix until fully coated. Season with more salt and black pepper to taste. Stir the eggs until well incorporated.
- Pour the macaroni into the prepared baking dish and smooth in an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, toss together the remaining 1 cup cheddar, ½ cup Gouda, ½ cup pepper Jack, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy!
- RECIPE BY: Meiko Temple
Nutrition Facts : Calories 587 calories, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 28 grams, Sugar 6 grams
MAMMA'S MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Tyler Florence
Time 45m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook the macaroni in boiling water for about 10 minutes until tender but still firm. Drain well and set aside.
- In a deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour to make a roux and cook, stirring, to remove any lumps. Pour in the milk and cook until the mixture is thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in 2 cups Cheddar and continue to cook until melted. Add the cooked macaroni and stir. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 20 minutes. Remove the casserole from oven, top with remaining 1/2-cup cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until hot and bubbly.
BIG MAMA'S MAC AND CHEESE
Categories Cheese Christmas Picnic Thanksgiving Vegetarian
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Mix all the dry ingredienets in medium sized bowl(except bread crumbs!!!) and set aside. In a 4 qt, pot- boil 2 quarts of water. When water comes to a boil, ad 1-tsp of salt and add the dry elbow macaroni. Stir and boil for 8 minutes. Then drain- FULLY. (preheat pot) *under medium heat* In the same pot add the milk, half stick of butter and the dry ingredients. Stir until mixture is well blended. Add half of the grated cheese, mix until you have a sauce, then add in the drained elbow macaroni. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Take off heat, let stand for 30 minutes. (preheat)In a large baking dish, the remainding butter. Let butter melt down, and coat the baking dish. Add the Mac/cheese mixture(at this time fold in the remaining cheddar cheese). Then sprinkle thinly the bread crumbs. AT the corners of the baking dish, take the excess butter with a spoon, and drizzle over the bread crumbs.Spinkle with paprika. Bake in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes Let stand for 30 minutes and serve.
GRANDMA'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my Grandmothers recipe for macaroni and cheese. Serves about 8 comfortably, more if its served as a side dish. I had to guess at the serving size as she says "depends on how many are eating and how hungry they are". Very tasty! This is creamy, cheesy kid pleasing (and adults love it too)!
Provided by Brooke Alicia
Categories Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 1 Casserole
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In saucepan, melt butter.
- Remove from heat; blend in flour & salt.
- Add milk; heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens a little and is smooth.
- Add 3 C cheese, heat until melted.
- Combine macaroni & sauce in casserole pan.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top of casserole is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 3966.6, Fat 222.8, SaturatedFat 139, Cholesterol 694.3, Sodium 7067, Carbohydrate 301.4, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 10.8, Protein 186.4
GRANDMA'S SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE
This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese recipe that we all crave and only get to have twice a year, if we play our cards right. Fairly simple and straightforward. The key is cooking time more than anything.
Provided by Rhett Towles
Categories Side Dish
Time 48m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
- Layer some of the macaroni in a 5-quart baking dish; top with a layer of Cheddar cheese. Continue layering macaroni and Cheddar cheese into the dish, ending with a Cheddar cheese layer.
- Beat milk, eggs, and mustard together in a bowl; pour over macaroni mixture, ensuring milk mixture gets to all of the macaroni.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just before cheese around the sides gets crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 477.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 143.3 mg, Fat 32.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 27.8 g, SaturatedFat 19.8 g, Sodium 599 mg, Sugar 2 g
MAMA'S BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE
My kids say this is better than 'the blues' and gobble it up, even when I toss in a handful of cooked veggies like broccoli, peas, carrots, etc.... Make it a one dish meal with some tuna, cooked ham, etc... It is just as easy as the 'blue box' at least I think so and it is much healthier!
Provided by Mamas Kitchen Hope
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make a roux by melting butter in pan and adding flour. Stir constantly and cook until it is the color of caramel candy. It burns easily so stir stir stir!
- Slowly and carefully add milk while stirring.
- When milk starts to steam add cheese and seasonings and stir until melted and well combined.
- Pour over cooked macaroni noodles and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276.1, Fat 12.2, SaturatedFat 7.4, Cholesterol 35.6, Sodium 269.8, Carbohydrate 30.3, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.1, Protein 10.9
Tips:
- Use the right cheese: A combination of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses provides the best flavor and texture for mac and cheese. For a creamier sauce, use more Gruyère. For a sharper flavor, use more cheddar. Parmesan adds a nutty flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when baked with the cheese sauce.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. Be sure to cook the roux over medium heat until it is golden brown. This will help to develop its flavor and prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy.
- Use milk or cream: Milk or cream can be used to thin the cheese sauce. If you want a thicker sauce, use less milk or cream. If you want a thinner sauce, use more milk or cream.
- Season the cheese sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little spice.
- Top with breadcrumbs: Buttered breadcrumbs add a delicious crunchy topping to mac and cheese. You can also use crushed crackers or grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mac and cheese at home. So next time you're craving this cheesy goodness, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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