The holiday season is a time for joyous gatherings, vibrant festivities, and delectable culinary creations. Among the many heartwarming dishes that grace our tables, holiday macaroni cheese stands out as a timeless classic, a dish that encapsulates the spirit of comfort and indulgence. Whether you prefer a traditional rendition or a modern twist, this versatile dish offers endless possibilities for customization, making it a beloved favorite that caters to diverse palates. From creamy and cheesy to crispy and golden, discover the secrets to crafting the ultimate holiday macaroni cheese, a dish that will undoubtedly become a cherished tradition in your family's festive celebrations.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE
In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.
Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen
Categories Casserole
Time 1h10m
Yield Serves 10
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
- Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.
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.
HOLIDAY MACARONI & CHEESE
Cannot eat turkey without this essential side dish. No Thanksgiving meal is complete without my special Macaroni & Cheese, using smoked cheddar, plus Velveeta and topped with Seasoned bread crumbs.
Provided by Chef Pisces
Categories High In...
Time 1h
Yield 1 1, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions.
- In a large sauce pan, melt the butter on a low heat. Add in a little flour, enough to make a paste (turn down the heat--flour/butter mixture burns quickly).
- Add the evaporated milk and keep stirring, on a low heat until this mixture thickens---you can add more flour if it's not thick enough. Then, add in all the dry spices, and keep stirring.
- Cut the cheese into small little cubes and then add it to the mixture, still on a low heat and keep stirring.
- Meanwhile, in another sauce pan, add 2tbs of butter and melt on a low heat. Once the butter is sizzling, add in the bread crumbs and saute lightly. Beat the egg and add it to the bread crumbs (You want the bread crumb topping to hold together) Once that happens, let it sit with foil . Meanwhile, if the cheese is thoroughly melted, put the pasta in an oblong baking dish, and pour the cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Bake the macaroni & cheese (covered with foil) for 30 min on 325°F
- Remove the foil and with a spatula slip the bread-crumb topping over the Mac & Cheese. For 10 min more, uncovered continue baking, but keep checking. You just want the bread-crumb topping to be lightly brown!
"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.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the mac and cheese will be. Use fresh, sharp cheddar cheese, creamy milk, and flavorful butter. Avoid pre-packaged or processed ingredients whenever possible.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the best texture for mac and cheese. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and lose its shape.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. A good roux will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Use a variety of cheeses: Don't just stick to cheddar cheese. Try using a combination of different cheeses, such as Parmesan, Gruyère, or Fontina, to add more flavor and complexity to the dish.
- Add some extras: Feel free to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, or chopped vegetables. This will help to create a more unique and flavorful dish.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients and flavors. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and memorable mac and cheese that will be sure to please everyone at your table.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love