Best 4 Homemade Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic dish loved by people of all ages, is the epitome of comfort food. Originating in the 14th century, it has undergone countless adaptations, with each culture adding its own unique twist, resulting in a vast array of recipes. Whether you prefer a creamy, cheesy sauce or a crispy, golden crust, the possibilities are endless. With just a few pantry staples and a bit of creativity, you can create a homemade mac and cheese dish that tantalizes your taste buds and warms your soul. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary adventure to discover the perfect recipe for your homemade mac and cheese masterpiece.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is a nice rich mac and cheese. Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner. Hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Judy

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

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 858.2 calories, Carbohydrate 66.7 g, Cholesterol 141.6 mg, Fat 48.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 29.9 g, Sodium 879.3 mg, Sugar 10.7 g

MARIE'S HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Marie's Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is my mother's family recipe. I believe it is an Icelandic recipe. Kids and husbands love it!

Provided by LEATHERNLACE_93277

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

Time 1h20m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 pounds uncooked elbow macaroni
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed Cheddar cheese soup
4 eggs, beaten
2 ¾ cups milk
2 pounds Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a 9x13 inch baking dish combine soup, eggs, milk, half of the cheese, cooked macaroni, salt and pepper. Mix well and then top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover and bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until top is lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537.1 calories, Carbohydrate 49.6 g, Cholesterol 118.1 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 26.9 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 668.7 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole image

Whole wheat pasta and lots of fresh broccoli add a little wholesomeness to this classically indulgent comfort food.

Provided by Reynolds Kitchens

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Reynolds®

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

Reynolds Wrap® Pan Lining Paper
8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
3 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 ½ cups milk
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed and softened
½ cup fine dry Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 2-quart casserole dish with Reynolds Wrap® Pan Lining Paper, parchment side up. No need to grease dish.
  • Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to the package directions, adding the broccoli for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain. Return to the saucepan and set aside.
  • Cook the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons hot butter in a large skillet 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the pasta and broccoli and stir until well combined.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and mix with the bread crumbs in a small bowl. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the buttery bread crumbs.
  • Bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until bubbly and internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.2 g, Cholesterol 59.1 mg, Fat 20.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 16.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 483.3 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese image

To make this rich mac and cheese recipe healthier we use whole wheat bread crumbs, low-fat milk and cheese, whole wheat noodles, and reduced the amount of butter. Serve with a salad for a healthy meatless dinner.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Noodle Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat macaroni (such as Smart Taste®)
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770.4 calories, Carbohydrate 106.6 g, Cholesterol 60.3 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 10.6 g, Protein 42.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 750.2 mg, Sugar 9.6 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. The best pasta for mac and cheese is a short, sturdy pasta that can hold up to the sauce, such as elbow macaroni, shells, or penne.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the mac and cheese.
  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. A roux will help to prevent the sauce from becoming thin and watery.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add other ingredients to the sauce, such as cooked bacon, diced onion, or chopped jalapeños.
  • Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking. This will give the dish a crispy, golden-brown crust.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mac and cheese at home.

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