Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's typically made with pasta, cheese, and a creamy sauce, but there are many variations on the dish. Some recipes call for different types of pasta, such as penne or shells, while others add vegetables, meat, or seafood. There are also many different types of cheese that can be used, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan. No matter what your preference, there's sure to be a creamy mac and cheese recipe out there that you'll love.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SUPER CREAMY AND CHEESY MAC AND CHEESE
Make and share this Super Creamy and Cheesy Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by little_spoon
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook the macaroni and set aside.
- In a pot, melt the butter and mix in salt and pepper.
- Slowly add in the flour, stirring continuously.
- Gradually add the milk and stir the mixture until smooth.
- Add the cheese on a low heat and melt into the mixture.
- Once the mixture is at your desired consistency, mix in the drained macaroni.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.5, Fat 15.3, SaturatedFat 9.4, Cholesterol 41.9, Sodium 355.1, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 0.7, Protein 11.3
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.
EASY CREAMY MAC 'N CHEESE
Our recipe for Easy Creamy Mac 'N Cheese has only 5 ingredients and is on the table in less than 30 minutes. What's not to love about that?! Whether you serve it on the side or as a main dish, it's comfort food that the whole family will love.
Provided by Country Crock®
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Country Crock®
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook pasta in large pot according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, whisk milk, Country Crock® Spread, and flour in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat. Drain pasta and fold into the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Cholesterol 34.5 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 14.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 202.7 mg, Sugar 4 g
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This baked mac and cheese - perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish - is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield Serves 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
- Heat the half-and-half and cayenne in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the butter and a sprinkle of salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
CREAMY STOVE-TOP MAC AND CHEESE
Steps:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, including juices, and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, white pepper, paprika, and salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Cook for a few minutes to let the flavors bloom, and then slowly stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Add the cheeses and stir until melted, then remove from heat. Stir in the pasta and toss until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm garnished with parsley.
CREAM-CHEESY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Cream-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by LorenLou
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Spray a 9x13" glass casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, in a large pot.
- Drain, rinse, and return to the large pot.
- Set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour, and cook until bubbly (about a minute).
- Add the milk slowly, stirring after each addition and cook until slightly thickened.
- Add the cream cheese, again stirring until completely melted.
- Season with salt.
- Remove from heat.
- Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring gently to combine.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, top with bread crumbs if desired, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.1, Fat 24.7, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 69.1, Sodium 361.4, Carbohydrate 33, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.8, Protein 17.6
SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE
A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.
Provided by g0dluvsugly
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 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.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g
Tips:
- For a creamy and rich mac and cheese, use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Use a high-quality pasta for the best flavor and texture. Look for a pasta that is made with durum wheat and has a slightly firm bite.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Make a roux by melting butter in a saucepan and then whisking in flour. Cook the roux over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until it is golden brown.
- Slowly whisk the milk into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it is thickened.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheese until it is melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until it is evenly coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish and top with additional cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the mac and cheese immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or bread crumbs.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and cheesy goodness, it's no wonder that this dish is a favorite among many. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a party, mac and cheese is sure to be a hit. With so many different variations to choose from, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're in the mood for something cheesy and delicious, give one of these recipes a try!
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