Best 2 Fancy Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, if you're looking for a more elevated version of this dish, there are many ways to dress it up and make it fancy. From adding gourmet cheeses and toppings to using unique cooking methods, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a fancy mac and cheese. In this article, we'll explore some of the best recipes for fancy mac and cheese, so you can impress your friends and family at your next dinner party.

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 MANCHEGO MAC AND CHEESE WITH CHORIZO



Fancy Manchego Mac and Cheese With Chorizo image

From Rachel Ray Magazine (published in the March 2009 edition). Love manchego cheese, this should be a good combination.

Provided by Marz7215

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 50m

Yield 1 pasta dish, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb cavatappi pasta (hollow corkscrew) or 1 lb other short- cut pasta
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1/2 lb raw chorizo sausage, casting dicarded, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, chopped
3 -4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup whole milk or 1 cup half-and-half
2 cups shredded manchego cheese
2 cups frozen peas, thawed1/4 cup chopped jarred pimiento peppers
1/2 cup coarsley chopped flat leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil, salt it. Add the pasta and cook until aldente. Drain.
  • While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat add the shallots and garlic and cook until tender about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and whisk in the sherry. Stir in the chicken broth andmilk and cook until thickened; season with pepper. Stir in the cheese. Fold in the peas and pimientos.
  • Drain the pasta, toss with sauce and top with chorizo and parsely.

Tips

  • Use a variety of cheeses. The more types of cheese you use, the more complex and flavorful your mac and cheese will be. A good starting point is to use a combination of cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère cheeses.
  • Use a flavorful cheese sauce. The cheese sauce is the heart of any mac and cheese dish, so it's important to make sure it's flavorful and creamy. You can use a variety of ingredients to flavor your cheese sauce, such as garlic, onions, herbs, and spices.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. Al dente pasta is slightly firm to the bite, which will help it hold its shape when it's mixed with the cheese sauce.
  • Add mix-ins. Mix-ins are a great way to add extra flavor and texture to your mac and cheese. Some popular mix-ins include bacon, ham, vegetables, and breadcrumbs.
  • Top with a crispy crust. A crispy crust is a delicious and easy way to finish off your mac and cheese dish. You can make a crispy crust by sprinkling breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese on top of the mac and cheese before baking it.

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 delicious and flavorful mac and cheese dish that will impress your family and friends. 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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