Best 3 Grown Up Mac Cheese Recipes

Macaroni and cheese, a childhood classic, can be transformed into a sophisticated and flavorful dish that appeals to adults with refined palates. This article presents a curated collection of recipes that elevate the traditional mac and cheese experience with gourmet ingredients, creative flavor combinations, and innovative cooking techniques. From truffle-infused cheese sauces to crispy breadcrumb toppings, these recipes offer a culinary journey that will redefine your perception of this beloved comfort food.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

JOHNSONVILLE® GROWN UP MAC & CHEESE

Johnsonville® Grown Up Mac & Cheese image

Brought to you by The Kitchen at Johnsonville® Sausage.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 25m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked whole grain elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free milk
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
8 ounces processed American cheese, cubed
1 link (half of 13.5 ounce package) Johnsonville® Smoked or Three Cheese Italian Style Premium Cooking Sausage, quartered and sliced

Steps:

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain., Mix panko, parsley, and olive oil together in a bowl., Meanwhile, in another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat., Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk., Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Add cheese; cook and stir until melted., Stir in macaroni and sausage., Spread panko mixture on top and bake at 350?F for 25 minutes., Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts :

GROWN UP MAC AND CHEESE

Grown up Mac and Cheese image

Make and share this Grown up Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by cookiedog

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

4 ounces thick-sliced bacon
vegetable oil
kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or 2 cups cavatappi pasta
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 pinch nutmeg
2 slices white bread, crusts removed
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in 1 layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven - there will be hot grease in the pan! Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan do not let it come to a boil. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Take off the heat and add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon and stir well. Pour into 2 individual size gratin dishes.
Place the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Add the basil and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1470.7, Fat 87, SaturatedFat 45.5, Cholesterol 223.2, Sodium 1549.6, Carbohydrate 107.4, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 4.5, Protein 62.9

GROWN UP MACARONI & CHEESE

Grown Up Macaroni & Cheese image

The ultimate comfort food by Toronto chef Michael Bonacini. Pair this with his Meat Loaf Muffins & a green veg for a "retro" dinner. You'll never eat Kraft Dinner again!!

Provided by CountryLady

Categories Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 onion, peeled & chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Steps:

Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to package directions.
Drain& add a little butter to prevent sticking.
Cover& put aside.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low to medium heat.
Add flour& cook gently for 4- 5 mins.
Add milk, mix well& allow to simmer for a few mins.
Add cream, mix well& cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sauce starts to thicken (about 10 mins).
Add onion& bay leaf; continue cooking for another 15- 20 mins, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, remove bay leaf, stir in mustard& 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar, season with salt& pepper and stir well.
Combine with macaroni in an ovenproof casserole dish.
Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar over top.
Combine bread crumbs, parsley& paprika and sprinkle over the top.
Bake in a preheated 350F oven for about 15- 20 minutes or until light golden brown on top.

Tips:

Use a variety of cheeses for a more complex flavor. Cheddar is a classic, but you can also add Gruyère, Parmesan, Fontina, or goat cheese.
Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions, or until it is al dente.
Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the sauce. Cook it over low heat until it is golden brown.
Use milk or cream to make the sauce. You can use whole milk, skim milk, or even heavy cream. If you are using heavy cream, you may want to add some water to thin it out.
Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or other spices to taste.
Add other ingredients to your mac and cheese. You can add cooked bacon, chicken, sausage, vegetables, or even seafood.
Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
Serve the mac and cheese hot. It is best when it is freshly made.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give one of these grown-up mac and cheese recipes a try.