Are you craving a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish that spells indulgence? Look no further than the iconic mac and cheese. This classic pasta dish can be elevated to greatness with the right combination of ingredients, techniques, and a touch of creativity. Whether you prefer a classic baked mac and cheese or a modern deconstructed version, there's a recipe out there that will satisfy your cravings. In this article, we'll guide you through the key elements of a great mac and cheese, exploring different types of pasta, cheese blends, sauces, and toppings. You'll discover tips and tricks to achieve the perfect texture, from a crispy golden-brown crust to a smooth and velvety interior. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your mac and cheese into an unforgettable and delectable experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GREAT MAC AND CHEESE
Kids love it; easy to make. Also good if you add a cup of cubed cooked ham!
Provided by George Couch
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and salt and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes more.
- Add milk and macaroni to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in cheese, and stir until cheese melts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.9 g, Cholesterol 59.8 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 12.5 g, Sodium 669.6 mg, Sugar 7.5 g
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
- For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.
THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER
Super creamy and gloriously cheesy, this classic baked mac and cheese boasts a golden bubbling lid with ooey gooey goodness underneath.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Categories Main Course Side Dish
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
- Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
- Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
- Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 601 mg, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, ServingSize 1 serving
BEST EVER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE
This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping
Provided by Jennifer Joyce
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside.
- Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour.
- Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan.
- Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes.
- Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking - defrost thoroughly before cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 42 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 88 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Protein 38 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium
BEST MAC 'N CHEESE EVER!
This is the best mac 'n cheese ever! I started out by going through the recipes on this site and when I found one I wanted to try, I was putting together the first few ingredients and said, 'Ya know what would be great to add to this...' and that's where the 'Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever' was created. By the time I was done and it was served at our New Year's Day lunch everyone was raving about how delish it was. Try this easy recipe for a down-home Southern taste of the Best Baked Mac 'N Cheese Ever!
Provided by CASS CLARK
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- 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; pour macaroni into the prepared dish.
- Beat eggs, sour cream, seasoned salt, and black pepper into a smooth mixture; stir Cheddar cheese and Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese into mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour over macaroni and mix well. Top casserole with torn pieces of processed cheese. Drizzle melted butter over casserole, especially along the sides.
- Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 130.2 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 17.2 g, Sodium 551 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE
We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!
Provided by Sageca
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
- Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
- The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
- Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
- When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
- Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
- Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
- Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
- Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.
REALLY GREAT MACARONI & CHEESE
I can't remember who puts out that famous red & white checkered cookbook, but this mac & cheese recipe is theirs. This is what my mom made us since we were kids and any mac & cheese that doesn't contain sauteed onions and real cheese is crapola, in my opinion. And although I have a fondness for the traditional elbows, a rotini pasta grabs the sauce much better. Remember NEVER to add oil or butter to the water you boil the pasta in or the sauce will not cling as well. This goes for all pasta. If you love your children you will NEVER feed them any mac & cheese from a box or made with Velveeta, no matter how easy it is to whip up. Show you care, cube some real cheddar and make a white sauce. Use a good pasta, too. I prefer Barilla, but Ronzoni is a close second.
Provided by DeSouter
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and get a large pot of water boiling.
- Cube the cheese.
- Start cooking the pasta while preparing the cheese sauce.
- Saute onion in butter until soft and transparent.
- Add flour, salt and pepper, cooking for one minute.
- Add milk slowly, continuously stirring.
- Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
- Add cheese gradually until all the cheese is melted.
- When pasta is al dente, drain pasta and pour cheese sauce into the pot and stir well.
- Pour into a 13 x 9 (or slightly larger) baking pan that's been sprayed with Pam.
- Bake for 30 (minimum) to 40 minutes.
GREAT GRAMMY'S MACARONI & CHEESE
This has been requested frequently enough that I will finally submit it. This is known as Great Grammy's mac & cheese thanks to my children. It's my grandmother's recipe. I spent a day watching very carefully & making notes. ;) I don't always bake it. Sometimes I just pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni & start eating! The dish I bake this in is a Corningware Cornflower 3 quart dish - it is square with high sides vs. rectangular like a smaller 9x13x2.
Provided by Elmotoo
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F Grease casserole dish. Cook macaroni in boiling, well salted water until al dente. Drain.
- Melt butter in top of double boiler. Add salt, ground mustard & flour, whick until smooth. Whisk in milk until smooth. Heat until thickened. *I will take the top of the double boiler & put it on direct heat BUT keep it low & do not stop stirring or it will burn & be ruined!*.
- Add cheese & whisk until melted.
- Put 1/2 cooked macaroni in casserole. Pour about 1/3 cheese sauce over macaroni. Stir well. Lay slices of American cheese over this. (4 slices fit my dish perfectly.) Add rest of macaroni & sauce. Stir carefully. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese to cover & some pepper to taste.
- Bake 1 hour until top is browned & bubbly.
THE GREAT AMERICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe comes from the Pasta & Co. cookbook and is a favorite of mine. So delicious. They say not to substitute a smooth tube dried pasta but to always use rigatoni for the best results. It is not a fiery dish, even though it calls for Tabasco and chili powder. These only work to enhance the cheddar flavor.
Provided by Jennifer Rosholt
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine grated Cheddar and mozzarella and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until near boiling. Turn off heat. Melt butter in a heavy pan large enough to hold the pasta after it is cooked. (It will take at least a 14-inch saute pan or a large casserole that can take direct heat.) When foam from butter recedes, remove from heat, add flour, and mix well. Return to medium-low heat, and, stirring occasionally, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to cook, but not brown, the flour. Gradually stir in hot milk. Raise heat to medium-high and continue stirring until mixture is smooth and thick (about 5 minutes). Add Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Whisk until smooth. Add Tabasco and white pepper and blend.
- Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water about 4 minutes. (It will be underdone, but will finish cooking later.) Thoroughly drain rigatoni and fold it into the cheese mixture.
- If cooking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Layer one-half the rigatoni mixture into a 9x13 pan. Top with one-half of the Cheddar and mozzarella. Repeat layers. Top with chili powder, sprinkled evenly over top.
- If not baking immediately, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze. When ready to bake, drizzle the 3/4 cup milk over the dish. Bake for approximately one hour. If frozen, add at least 20 minutes to baking time. The dish should be rusty brown on top. Should it appear to be browning too fast, cover with foil for part of cooking time. Be sure to check for doneness in the very center of the dish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 864.5, Fat 52.1, SaturatedFat 31.4, Cholesterol 208, Sodium 970.8, Carbohydrate 54.6, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 2.1, Protein 44.2
CLASSIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: unsalted butter, all purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, whole milk, heavy cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, panko breadcrumbs
Provided by Next Level Chef on Fox
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a 9-inch square pan.
- Make the bread crumb topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and paprika with a fork until combined. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir until evenly coated in the butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is browned (if the top isn't browning, broil on high for 2-3 minutes).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 22 grams, Sugar 6 grams
BEST EVER MAC & CHEESE
To make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! -Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pan. Pulse bread, 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until coarsely ground., Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add ground mustard and cayenne; stir until blended. Stir in flour until smooth, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Velveeta. Slowly add remaining cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until cheese is melted. Add Worcestershire and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top of casserole. Bake until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 10-12 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 762 calories, Fat 43g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 134mg cholesterol, Sodium 1138mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.
MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: milk, cheese, elbow macaroni, salt, pepper
Provided by Sofia Ben
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Boil the milk, then add the macaroni. Stir it continuously for 10 minutes.
- Then add cheese, salt and pepper.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1057 calories, Carbohydrate 136 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 51 grams, Sugar 16 grams
WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE
It's a bold claim, but this mac and cheese from Kurt Beecher Dammeier's "Pure Flavor" cookbook is that good. Three types of cheese-cheddar, Gruyere, and Jack-add plenty of richness, while a touch of chipotle-chile powder imbues the dish with a subtle smoky flavor.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again.
- Stir together pasta and cheese sauce until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned in places, about 20 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Use a quality cheese blend. A combination of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan is a classic choice, but you can experiment with other cheeses to create your own unique flavor profile.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Macaroni and cheese is best when the pasta is cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. Be sure to cook the roux until it is golden brown, but not burnt.
- Add milk or cream gradually. When adding milk or cream to the cheese sauce, do so gradually, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Season to taste. Mac and cheese should be flavorful, so don't be afraid to add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Top with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. A crunchy topping adds a nice contrast to the creamy mac and cheese.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a mac and cheese recipe that everyone will love. Whether you prefer a simple, classic recipe or something more adventurous, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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