Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, the traditional macaroni and cheese recipe can be a bit bland and one-dimensional for adults. If you're looking for a macaroni and cheese recipe that is more sophisticated and flavorful, there are a few things you can do. First, you can use a different type of cheese. Instead of the traditional cheddar cheese, try using a combination of cheeses, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, and Fontina. You can also add other ingredients to the macaroni and cheese, such as bacon, vegetables, or herbs. Finally, you can bake the macaroni and cheese instead of boiling it. This will give the macaroni and cheese a crispy, golden brown crust.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
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.
GROWN UP MAC AND CHEESE
For a cozy dinner for two, try Ina Garten's Grown-Up Mac and Cheese, which features cheddar, Roquefort and GruyÂre, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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, but don't boil it. 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. Off the heat, 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.
MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR ADULTS
I often make this ahead and refrigerate, then bake just before serving. Add 15 to 20 minutes to cooking time. Panko (Japanese style) or seasoned Italian bread crumbs can be substituted for bread crumbs. Leftover ham works well in place of the bacon. This is great comfort food and good enough to share with companySource: Unknown
Provided by Lynnda Cloutier
Categories Pasta
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Chop bacon and cook til crisp; drain, reserving 1 Tbsp. drippings. Cook garlic in drippings about 1 minute; set bacon and garlic aside. Whisk cream, half and half, egg and nutmeg in heavy pan to blend. Add 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese. Stir over medium heat til cheeses are melted.
- 2. Pour sauce over cooked pasta, stirring to coat. Stir in bacon and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into buttered casserole dish or 9 x 13 inch pan. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Melt butter and toss with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over pasta. Bake in preheated 425 oven til sauce bubbles and crumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.
MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR ADULTS
This recipe is from: Executive Chef Bill Sauer - Delicias Restaurant, Rancho Santa Fe, Ca This is a very rich (6 cheese) macaroni and cheese recipe geared more for an adult taste with peas, prosciutto ham, and a sprinkling of black truffles. This is NOT a low fat dish, but it is truly a heavenly indulgence.
Provided by Dee514
Categories Ham
Time 50m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, make a roux out of the butter and flour by melting the butter and adding the flour, mixing until smooth. Cook over low heat for about 3 minutes while mixing continuously.
- Slowly add the milk and then cream. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes or until mixture is nice and thick.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the cheeses and sour cream in the following order: mozzarella, fontina, St. Andre, smoked Gouda, Parmesan, goat cheese, sour cream.
- In a large, separate sauce pan, saute the prosciutto until browned.
- Add the peas.
- Add the cheese sauce and cooked, drained macaroni, tossing to mix well.
- Plate, and garnish with the truffles.
- Serve warm.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
- Add a touch of Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce for a little tang.
- Use a variety of pasta shapes to create a more interesting texture.
- Cook the macaroni al dente so that it still has a slight bite to it.
- Don't overcook the cheese sauce, or it will become thick and rubbery.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping for a delicious crunch.
- Serve macaroni and cheese with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can create a delicious macaroni and cheese dish that is sure to impress your friends and family. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, macaroni and cheese is a great option. So next time you are looking for a comforting and delicious meal, give one of these macaroni and cheese recipes a try.
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