Crackaroni macaroni and cheese is a dish that has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to its rich and cheesy flavor and its easy-to-make recipe. Its combination of pasta, cheese, and often bacon or ground beef makes it a satisfying and flavorful meal, and it is often served as a side dish or a main course. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you create the best crackaroni macaroni and cheese that will have your family and friends begging for more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CRACKARONI (MACARONI AND CHEESE)
The most awesome macaroni and cheese ever! So addictive, we call it "crackaroni." You just can't stop eating this fabulously creamy concoction. I slightly changed the recipe of a coworker who brought it to a potluck. Proceed at your own risk. I can't be responsible for the rise in your cholesterol levels.
Provided by Kate 8
Categories Cheese
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook and drain macaroni slightly al dente. Place in greased 2 qt casserole dish.
- Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour for a light roux.
- Stirring constantly, gradually add the milk, cooking until thickened.
- Add pepper, salt and sugar, mixing thoroughly.
- Add Velveeta cubes and stir until melted.
- Add sour cream and cottage cheese, stirring until well combined.
- Pour over macaroni and mix well. It will look "cheesy" but will soak into the macaroni during cooking.
- Spread cheddar cheese over the top.
- Sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 496, Fat 31.1, SaturatedFat 19, Cholesterol 96.2, Sodium 1095, Carbohydrate 32.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 5.5, Protein 21.5
MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large saucepot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the warmed milk and bring to a boil, continue to whisk constantly. The mixture will thicken as the heat increases. Continue to stir while adding
- the dry mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Stir in the 3 cups of Cheddar until it melts.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and add to a 3 quart casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the chips, bacon and Parmesan on top and bake for 35 minutes.
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.
MACARONI AND CHEESE
Try Ree Drummond's creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food Network.
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the macaroni until still slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg. In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn. Pour in the milk, add the mustard and whisk until smooth. Cook until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
- Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the eggs. Whisk together until smooth. Pour the egg into the sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth. Add in the cheese and stir to melt. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt and the pepper. Add any additional spices if desired. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
- Pour in the drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately (while it's still very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese and bake until bubbly and golden on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until slightly crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and cut into bite-size pieces.
- In a separate pan, cook the onions in the butter over a low heat until caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Use a fork to crumble the gorgonzola.
- Put the bacon, caramelized onions and crumbled gorgonzola into separate bowls. Serve as delicious toppings for both sliders and macaroni cheese.
CRACKER CRUMB MAC & CHEESE
Macaroni and cheese was a favorite dish of Thomas Jefferson. I feel certain Mr. Jefferson would have approved this version.
Provided by Rita P
Categories Cheese
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water until just tender.
- Drain it while you prepare the cream sauce.
- In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbs of butter, then whisk in the flour and add the milk.
- Stir the mixture until it thickens, then add the cheddar cheese and stir it in until it melts, Season with salt and pepper.
- Cut the Velveeta into 1/2 inch cubes and stir it into the white sauce, but do not allow it to melt completely.
- Place the drained macaroni in the prepared baking dish, pour the cheese sauce over it, and stir gently to mix.
- Sprinkle the crumbled crackers generously over the top and dot with the remaining butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until browned and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 757.3, Fat 43.7, SaturatedFat 26.4, Cholesterol 129.7, Sodium 1255.9, Carbohydrate 62.2, Fiber 2, Sugar 5.8, Protein 28.6
MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Garrett McCord
Categories Cheese Dairy Pasta Bake Super Bowl Kid-Friendly Back to School Cheddar Fall Winter Breadcrumbs Small Plates
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9- by 13-inch baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over moderate heat, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Place the panko bread crumbs in a small bowl, drizzle with the melted butter, and toss to combine. Add a handful of the grated cheese to the bowl, toss to combine, and set aside.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the noodles, without rinsing, then return them to the pot they were cooked in.
- In a small saucepan over moderate heat, warm the milk just until it starts to steam and form tiny bubbles around its edges-be careful not to let the milk come to a boil. Remove from the heat.
- In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and use a flat-edged wooden spoon or heat-safe rubber spatula to stir the mixture together, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent burning, just until it starts to turn a light brown color, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the warm milk and stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Add the remaining grated cheese and stir until it's completely melted. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked elbow macaroni and gently stir to coat the noodles in the sauce.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish and top with the panko-cheese mixture. Bake until light golden brown and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Serve hot. DO AHEAD: Macaroni and cheese can be made ahead, put into the baking dish, cooled completely, and kept, covered in the refrigerator, for 2 days. Do not add the bread crumbs until ready to bake. (Chilled Macaroni and Cheese may take longer than 30 minutes to be fully cooked.)
MACARONI & CHEESE - CRACKER BARREL COPYCAT
Here is the one I use. It is as close to their *original* mac & cheese as I have found. The mac & cheese they currently serve has changed some since their original recipe.
Provided by sk8way
Categories High In...
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a sauce pan melt butter over medium low heat then add the flour a little bit at a time while whisking to make a roux. Heat the broth. Next add the broth to the roux, stir with the whisk. This will thicken as it heats. Next add a little cream watch for consistency.Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a separate pot, add salt, and pasta.
- In the other pot add shredded cheese a 1/4 of a cup at a time while stirring with a spoon. When you have about one cup of cheese in you can add the rest of the cheese.
- Cook the pasta al dente. Strain and combine with the cheese sauce.Pour the mix into a casserole and bake uncovered in a preheated oven set to 350°F for about 10 minutes. **Optional, you can mix melted butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle lightly on top.
- Keep an eye on the mac & cheese, you want it to brown around the edges and in patches on top.
- Let stand for 10 min before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 441.6, Fat 23.4, SaturatedFat 14.3, Cholesterol 71.9, Sodium 694.2, Carbohydrate 38.9, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 1.5, Protein 18.6
MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR ONE
The movie "Home Alone" served as inspiration to this macaroni and cheese. Although it says it's meant for one, it will serve two if you're feeling generous!
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 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, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until mixture is smooth. Slowly add half-and-half, whisking as it is poured in. Stir until sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese, salt, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pepper, and turmeric; whisk to combine.
- Drain macaroni and add to the cheese sauce. Stir until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1082.8 calories, Carbohydrate 103.7 g, Cholesterol 159.2 mg, Fat 55.8 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 41 g, SaturatedFat 34.4 g, Sodium 2138.2 mg, Sugar 12.6 g
MACARONI AND BLUE CHEESE
Very rich taste and unique twist on an old favorite. Goes quite well served with a grilled steak or chicken breast. A wonderful recipe given to me by my dear friend (and great cook) Amy.
Provided by SmHerndon
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350* and butter 13x9 glass baking dish.
- Cook pasta (about 8 min) and drain.
- Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium to low heat, then add flour and cook 1 minute stirring constantly (do not allow to brown).
- Gradually whisk in cream and milk and simmer until mixture thickens slightly, whisking occasionally (about 3 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low and add grated cheddar cheese and only 1 cup blue cheese.
- Whisk about 2 minutes or when cheese starts to melt, then flavor with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to sauce, stirring to coat, and transfer mixture to 13x9 dish.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup blue cheese and bake about 25 minutes or until sauce begins to bubble.
- Sprinkle with chives and serve- enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1301.2, Fat 76.2, SaturatedFat 47.3, Cholesterol 235.9, Sodium 1389.5, Carbohydrate 100.6, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 9.2, Protein 52.8
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
- Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
- Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1076, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 31 grams, Sodium 1027 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my absolute very favorite macaroni and cheese recipe and I have a large collection of m/c recipes. Adapted from Southern Living. I don't make this very often because I could literally eat the whole thing and lick the dish clean.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Cheese
Time 1h20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a big skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Whisk the flour in gradually until the mixture is smooth.
- Cook and whisk continually for 2 minutes.
- Add in salt, pepper, cayenne, and garlic; stir to combine.
- Gradually whisk in half-and-half and milk.
- Cook and whisk continually for 8-10 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
- Add in half of the sharp cheddar cheese; stir.
- Add in all of the extra-sharp cheddar cheese; stir until smooth.
- Take skillet off stove burner.
- Mix together the cooked macaroni and cheese mixture; transfer to a greased 13x9 inch casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with the remaining sharp cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350° oven for 20 minutes (may need to bake longer for a crispy top).
MACARONI AND CHEESE V
This is my mom's recipe for macaroni and cheese with a bread crumb topping and a little dry mustard for zip. It is great!! You can make it more or less cheesy, depends on your taste.
Provided by LEACH
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl and mix well with the melted butter; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, then place into prepared casserole dish.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the minced onion and cook until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the flour, pepper, salt, and dry mustard until incorporated, then pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring constantly until the milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Take the milk off of the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni, then sprinkle evenly with buttered bread crumbs.
- Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.8 calories, Carbohydrate 43.9 g, Cholesterol 64.8 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 413.6 mg, Sugar 5.1 g
MARY'S MACARONI & CHEESE RECIPE
Try our homestyle Mary's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. Follow our Mary's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe for a rich, creamy dish which your family will love.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Macaroni & Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings, 1 cup each
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Place butter in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of half each of the macaroni, VELVEETA and cheddar.
- Whisk egg and milk until blended; pour half over ingredients in baking dish. Repeat with all remaining ingredients except paprika.
- Bake 15 min.; stir until blended. Bake 15 min. or until macaroni mixture is heated through and top is golden brown. Sprinkle with paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 660 mg, Carbohydrate 50 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 8 g, Protein 21 g
MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
I like to create recipes, and this is one my husband really enjoys. It's an excellent dish for company, especially for families with small children. After all, what kid doesn't like macaroni and cheese?
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4-6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until bubbles form around the edge of pan. Remove from the heat; stir in the cheese and butter. Let stand for 1 minute. Stir until cheese is almost melted. Stir in bread crumbs. In a bowl, combine the macaroni, egg yolks, pimientos, parsley, onion and salt. Stir in cheese mixture; mix well. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into macaroni mixture. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts :
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Macaroni and cheese is perfect supper food. It's a kids' favorite, and adults like it too. My recipe is simple and almost as quick as the boxed variety.
Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large soup kettle. Add salt and pasta. Using package directions as a guide, cook until al dente. Drain. To prevent sticking, drain and immediately pour onto a large lipped baking sheet and let cool while preparing sauce.
- Meanwhile, microwave the milk and chicken broth in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or bowl until hot and steamy (not boiling). Melt butter in the empty pasta pot; whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard, Parmesan and pepper. Turn off heat, stir in cheddar until melted.
- Add drained pasta (and optional flavoring ingredients, see notes) to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined over low heat. Stir to heat through, and thin with a little water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 529.1 calories, Carbohydrate 47.1 g, Cholesterol 82.3 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 1202.9 mg, Sugar 8.5 g
Tips:
- Use a roux. A roux is a mixture of fat and flour that is used to thicken sauces. It will help to create a creamy and smooth macaroni and cheese.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese has a stronger flavor than mild cheddar cheese, which will give your macaroni and cheese more flavor.
- Add other cheeses. In addition to cheddar cheese, you can also add other cheeses to your macaroni and cheese, such as Parmesan, mozzarella, or Gruyère.
- Use a variety of pasta shapes. You can use any type of pasta for macaroni and cheese, but some shapes work better than others. Elbow macaroni is a classic choice, but you can also use shells, penne, or rotini.
- Season your macaroni and cheese. In addition to salt and pepper, you can also add other seasonings to your macaroni and cheese, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Bake your macaroni and cheese. Baking your macaroni and cheese will help to create a golden brown crust on top.
- Serve your macaroni and cheese with a side dish. Macaroni and cheese can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as salad, vegetables, or bread.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many different ways to make macaroni and cheese, so you can find a recipe that suits your taste. Whether you like your macaroni and cheese creamy, cheesy, or crunchy, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give macaroni and cheese a try.
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