Macaroni and cheese, often called "mac and cheese" or "mac n' cheese", is a delicious dish loved by people of all ages. Whether you prefer a classic, comforting version or one with a twist, there are many variations of this iconic meal to explore. Our comprehensive guide will introduce you to a range of cheesy mac and cheese recipes, from the traditional to the unexpected, ensuring you find the perfect recipe to satisfy your craving for this delectable dish.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHEESY MAC & CHEESE
Everyone comes home for dinner when I make this homemade macaroni and cheese. It also receives great compliments at potlucks. -Debra Sult, Chandler, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour, cream, half-and-half, sour cream, egg, mustard, cayenne, salt, pepper and nutmeg until smooth., Drain pasta. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Stir in cubed cheeses. Top with cream mixture. Sprinkle with shredded cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 350° until bubbly and golden brown, 30-40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 563 calories, Fat 43g fat (28g saturated fat), Cholesterol 172mg cholesterol, Sodium 648mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
EASY CHEESY MAC AND CHEESE (WITH OPTIONAL CRUNCHY TOPPING)
I have made baked macaroni and cheese since I was little. I stumbled upon this recipe through experimentation and then modified until I love it! I even brought this to a party with a bunch of people from around the US, and no one could believe it was so easy to make! It tastes exactly the same! Not only is it super easy to make, the clean-up is quick!
Provided by PANTHERA
Categories Side Dish
Time 53m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 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.
- Transfer cooked macaroni to a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Add 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, Alfredo sauce, and mustard; mix thoroughly until macaroni is evenly coated. Mix in remaining 2 cups cheese and drained tomatoes and green chiles. Top with bread crumbs.
- Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 624.5 calories, Carbohydrate 51.4 g, Cholesterol 80.8 mg, Fat 35.6 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 25.3 g, SaturatedFat 18.2 g, Sodium 1103.1 mg, Sugar 4 g
EXTRA CHEESY MEX MAC 'N' CHEESE
"All that rich, creamy cheese needs some spicy smokiness, so I throw chile powder in the breadcrumb topping."
Provided by Marcela Valladolid
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the breadcrumbs until coated, then the chile powder and thyme; season with salt. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub 1 tablespoon butter in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs, until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute; do not brown. Add the milk in a slow, steady stream, whisking until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup each mozzarella, cheddar and manchego. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in the pasta and remove from the heat. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the remaining 1 cup each mozzarella, cheddar and manchego in a medium bowl. Sprinkle over the pasta. Top with the breadcrumb mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden, about 12 more minutes. Serve immediately.
CHEESY CHEEZ-IT MAC & CHEESE
This is so yummy! I thought I was gonna burst eatin' it all up. It's just a little spin on the same old Mac that I came up with and it's a winner in my boys' book! Try it and tell me what ya think!
Provided by crazycookinmama
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute or until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium; gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove pan from heat.
- Stir pasta, and ground black pepper into cheese mixture; spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread crushed Cheez-it crackers on top.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
CHEESY MAC & CHEESE
Similar to the mac and cheese Hard Rock serves with some changes. This is cheesy yummy goodness!
Provided by Christine Schnepp
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Boil pasta in salted water for 20-25 minutes or until done. Drain. Combine milk, Velveeta,both shredded cheeses in saucepan. Cook on low heat until all the cheese has melted. Add to noodles and stir. Combine bread crumbs, parm, and parsley together then sprinkle on top.
THE ULTIMATE LADY'S CHEESY MAC AND CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot, bring water to boil. Season water with salt and cook macaroni until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta and place in a large bowl and while pasta is still hot add all the cheese. In a separate medium bowl, using a whisk, combine the sour cream, butter, eggs, salt, pepper, and milk and add to the macaroni mixture. Spray casserole dish with nonstick and pour macaroni mixture into the dish. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Top with additional cheese, if desired.
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses. A combination of cheeses will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavor. Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use Parmesan, Gruyère, Gouda, or any other type of cheese that you like.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but err on the side of undercooking it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape in the mac and cheese.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. It will help to give your mac and cheese a creamy texture.
- Add milk or cream. Milk or cream will help to thin out the roux and make the mac and cheese more liquidy. You can use whole milk, skim milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want your mac and cheese to be.
- Season the mac and cheese to taste. Add salt, pepper, and any other spices that you like. You can also add a bit of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated cheese. This will give the mac and cheese a crispy topping.
- Bake the mac and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will take about 20 minutes in a 350°F oven.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed 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 perfect mac and cheese that will be a hit at your next potluck or family gathering.
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