Best 6 Fancy But Easy Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Calling all mac and cheese enthusiasts! Are you tired of the same old boring mac and cheese recipe? Are you looking to elevate your mac and cheese game and impress your family and friends with a dish that is both fancy and easy to make? Look no further! In this article, we will introduce you to the world of elevated mac and cheese, with recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds and leave you feeling like a master chef. So, put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will change the way you think about mac and cheese forever.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FANCY MAC AND CHEESE



Fancy Mac and Cheese image

This is one of those recipes that can definitely be described as ridiculous, where ridiculous means so decadent, delicious, and divine that it almost renders the person eating it speechless. A little goes a long way with this one. Invite lots of guests... preferably guests you really, really like!

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 1h55m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound white button or cremini mushrooms, quartered
Olive oil, for drizzling
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
8 slices thick-cut bacon
2 yellow onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
5 tablespoons butter, plus more for buttering the pan
1 1/2 pounds macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup half-and-half
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup grated fontina
3/4 cup grated gruyere
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese (chevre)
4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola or other blue cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil, and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside. Try not to eat them before the macaroni's done. Turn down the heat to 350 degrees F.
  • Next, fry the thick slices of bacon until chewy, but not yet crisp. Chop up the bacon into bite-size bits. Set aside. Try not to eat them before the macaroni's done.
  • In a large skillet over medium-low heat, saute the onions in 1 tablespoon of the butter, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside. Try not to... oh, never mind.
  • Cook the macaroni until just undercooked. Set aside.
  • To make the sauce, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking to combine. Let the roux cook for a minute or so, whisking constantly. Then pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Cook the white sauce until thick and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Next, add the half-and-half, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Spoon some of the hot white sauce into the beaten eggs to temper them, stirring with a fork to incorporate the mixture without cooking the eggs. Pour the tempered eggs into the white sauce, stirring constantly as you add them. Add the fontina, gruyere, Parmesan and goat cheeses. Stir until the cheese all melts. Add the cooked macaroni and stir to coat. Splash in a little milk or hot water if needed for thinning.
  • Butter a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Lay on half the onions, half the macaroni, half the mushrooms, half the gorgonzola and half the bacon. Repeat the layers, ending with the bacon. Bake until bubbly and hot, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • This is the stuff that dreams - and love handles - are made of.

FANCY-BUT-EASY MAC N' CHEESE



Fancy-But-Easy Mac N' Cheese image

Want a quick and easy Mac n' Cheese that looks like you spent all day working on it? This is the recipe.

Provided by Nadine

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

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 small red onion, diced
1 (16 ounce) package small pasta shells
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic salt
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup brown sugar
3 (11 ounce) cans condensed cream of Cheddar cheese soup
⅔ cup shredded Havarti cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 ⅓ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place the diced onion in a large pot of lightly-salted water; bring to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Transfer the onion and pasta to a casserole dish; season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Stir the butter and brown sugar into the pasta mixture until the butter melts. Add the Cheddar cheese soup, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup of Cheddar cheese; stir well. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over top of the dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven about 45 minutes. Change oven setting to 'Broil' and cook until top is golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 505.5 calories, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 23.1 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 20.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.1 g, Sodium 1175.3 mg, Sugar 7.9 g

EASIEST MAC-N-CHEESE EVER!



Easiest Mac-N-Cheese Ever! image

I have tried many more-complicated recipes for macaroni and cheese. Not only is this one often requested for family functions, but it is easy to make! Kids LOVE this recipe. It is so handy for busy moms.

Provided by Anncredible

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

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 ounces elbow macaroni
4 ounces cubed processed cheese food
2 fluid ounces milk
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
  • Place a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine the cheese food, milk, and pepper in the saucepan; cook until the cheese has melted, stirring frequently. Stir in the drained macaroni until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 136.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 15.7 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 241.5 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

FANCY-BUT-EASY MAC N' CHEESE



Fancy-But-Easy Mac N' Cheese image

Want a quick and easy Mac n' Cheese that looks like you spent all day working on it? This is the recipe.

Provided by Nadine

Categories     Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 small red onion, diced
1 (16 ounce) package small pasta shells
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic salt
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup brown sugar
3 (11 ounce) cans condensed cream of Cheddar cheese soup
⅔ cup shredded Havarti cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 ⅓ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place the diced onion in a large pot of lightly-salted water; bring to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Transfer the onion and pasta to a casserole dish; season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Stir the butter and brown sugar into the pasta mixture until the butter melts. Add the Cheddar cheese soup, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup of Cheddar cheese; stir well. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over top of the dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven about 45 minutes. Change oven setting to 'Broil' and cook until top is golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 505.5 calories, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 23.1 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 20.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.1 g, Sodium 1175.3 mg, Sugar 7.9 g

FANCY MAC 'N' CHEESE



Fancy Mac 'N' Cheese image

People compare my version of mac'n'cheese to their grandma's macaroni and cheese...not knowing it starts out with a purchase box mix. Ham and broccoli add flavor and color. It brings raves at our church socials.-Janet Twigg, Campbellford, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 packages (7-1/4 ounces each) macaroni and white cheddar or cheddar cheese dinner mix
6 cups water
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, divided
1/2 cup milk
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Set cheese sauce packet from dinner mix aside. Bring water to a boil. Add macaroni; cook for 4 minutes. Add the broccoli, onion and garlic. Cook 3-6 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender; drain., In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in cheese sauce mix and milk. Add the ham, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in macaroni mixture. , Transfer to a greased broiler-proof 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle over top. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 312 calories, Fat 19g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 932mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

FANCY MAC 'N' CHEESE



Fancy Mac 'n' Cheese image

Make and share this Fancy Mac 'n' Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by zoe85

Categories     Cheese

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 (7 1/4 ounce) packages macaroni and white cheddar cheese mix, mix or 2 (7 1/4 ounce) packages macaroni and cheese mix
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup butter, plus
1 tablespoon butter, divided
1/2 cup milk
2 cups cubed cooked ham
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Set cheese sauce packet from dinner mix aside. Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add macaroni; cook for 4 minutes. Add the broccoli, onion and garlic. Cook 3-6 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender; drain.
  • In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in cheese sauce mix and milk. Add ham, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in macaroni mixture.
  • Transfer to a greased broiler-proof 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top. Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 4-5 minutes or until top is golden brown. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.3, Fat 20.7, SaturatedFat 11.3, Cholesterol 70.9, Sodium 232, Carbohydrate 6, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 0.8, Protein 12.1

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the mac and cheese will be. Use freshly grated cheese, real butter, and high-quality pasta.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from being thin and runny.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: Using a variety of cheeses will give the mac and cheese a more complex and flavorful taste. Some good options include cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, and fontina.
  • Season the sauce: Don't forget to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. This will help to bring out the flavors of the cheese and pasta.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs will give the mac and cheese a crispy and golden crust. You can use plain breadcrumbs or add some Parmesan cheese or herbs for extra flavor.

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 a mac and cheese that is both delicious and easy to make. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these mac and cheese recipes a try.

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