In the realm of comfort food, few dishes evoke nostalgia and warmth like a hearty bowl of macaroni and cheese. When it comes to this classic dish, everyone has their own preferences - some like it gooey and rich, while others prefer a crispier crust. No matter your taste, the perfect macaroni and cheese has the power to transport you back to childhood, to those moments gathered around the family table, filled with laughter and love. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will guide you towards the ultimate macaroni and cheese recipe that will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling like you've been enveloped in a warm, cheesy hug. So, get ready to embark on a culinary journey to discover the best macaroni and cheese recipe, the one that will become a staple in your kitchen and create lasting memories for years to come.
Here are our top 14 tried and tested recipes!
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. -Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner Side Dishes
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni., Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Fat 20g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 569mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is something my mom used to make for me when I was a kid. It is simple, quick, and great for kids and adults alike.
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender; drain.
- Mix cooked macaroni with butter, stirring well.
- While macaroni is cooking, cook ground beef, garlic and onion in a large skillet until beef is browned and cooked through.
- Drain any accumulated fat.
- Add chili powder, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), mixing well.
- Bring meat mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until macaroni is done.
- Mix meat mixture with cooked buttered macaroni (do NOT add any additional milk as package suggests).
- Sprinkle contents of cheese packets into pasta and stir until blended.
- Serve garnished with grated cheddar, if desired.
MOM'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Quick and easy -- macaroni, cheese soup, milk and Colby cheese!
Provided by Courtnay
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Place macaroni in a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir in cheese soup and milk until well combined. Sprinkle with shredded Colby.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 673.9 calories, Carbohydrate 65.5 g, Cholesterol 86.6 mg, Fat 30.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 32.3 g, SaturatedFat 18.7 g, Sodium 849.1 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This is a macaroni and cheese I first made 3 years ago when I was in California. When I got back to Texas I made it for my mom. This is now her favorite baked macaroni and cheese. She begs me to make it when I come to visit.
Provided by GEPETTO_69
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 100.1 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 1194 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Tender pasta is smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a down-home casserole that always satisfies.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 40m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package using minimum cook time.
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion, salt and pepper in butter, stirring occasionally, until onion is crisp-tender.
- In small bowl, mix flour and milk until smooth; stir into onion mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Into ungreased 1 1/2-quart casserole, spoon macaroni mixture.
- Bake about 30 minutes or until bubbly and light brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 410, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1030 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1/2 g
MARK'S MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and then stir in flour; cook for 1 minute or until lightly golden. Slowly add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until thickened, and then stir in the 3 cheeses until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add cooked macaroni and stir to coat evenly. Transfer to a shallow baking dish. Bake for about 45 minutes, until brown and crisp on top.
- Remove from oven and preheat the broiler. Sprinkle Parmesan and bread crumbs over top. Return to the oven and broil until cheese is bubbly.
GRANDMOTHER'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese. It is best when cooked in a clay baking dish at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 1 hour.
Provided by LAURA67
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a 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.
- Stir macaroni, Cheddar cheese, milk, egg, mustard, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour into a baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until brown and thickened, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Carbohydrate 22.4 g, Cholesterol 94.2 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 344.2 mg, Sugar 3 g
MY MOTHER'S MAC AND CHEESE
I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. -Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine macaroni, tomatoes, onion salt, pepper and 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Pour into a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 15 minutes longer.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 373 calories, Fat 22g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 759mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy macaroni and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. -Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina (originally from Taste of Home)
Provided by Barenakedchef
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- •Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni.
- • Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.4, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 9, Cholesterol 40, Sodium 417.8, Carbohydrate 27.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.9, Protein 8.1
MOM'S MACARONI & CHEESE
Make and share this Mom's Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by WI Cheesehead
Categories Cheese
Time 35m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Boil macaroni till tender.
- Make a white sauce (or use jar kind) and add dry mustard and paprika. Thouroughly blend.
- Add 4 oz. cheddar cheese to white sauce and stir until melted.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and blend.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Layer noodles and sauce alternately for two layers.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 C cheddar cheese and paprika.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 166.4, Fat 9.4, SaturatedFat 4.7, Cholesterol 20.8, Sodium 223.3, Carbohydrate 12.9, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 1.8, Protein 7.3
MOM'S MACARONI & CHEESE
I've been eating this macaroni & cheese since I was a little girl. I'm not sure where my mom got the recipe from, but it is delicious. We usually sprinkle with some parmesan cheese before browning.
Provided by Suzy Q 2
Categories Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt butter, add flour, salt, and pepper, wisk until smooth.
- Add milk slowly, whisking to blend.
- Cook until thick and smooth, add cheese and stir until melted.
- Cook elbow noodles as directed on package.
- Drain and pour into a baking dish.
- Pour cheese sauce over cooked elbows.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- *It's best to use a double boiler or nonstick pan to make your cheese sauce.
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy macaroni and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. -Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni.
- Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.4 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 54 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 538.1 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
MOM'S MACARONI & CHEESE
My mother always used american cheese but you can use whatever type of cheese you want. This is truly a comfort food for me.
Provided by Mainely Debbie
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook macaroni until ala dente.
- Melt cheese and milk to make a cheese sauce, I do this in the microwave at 50% power. Save 6 slices of cheese for top of casserole.
- Mix the macaroni and cheese and put into a 4 quart casserole that has been sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray.
- Put the 6 slices of cheese on top of casserole and then top with bread crumbs and put pats of butter on top of that.
- Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until browned and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1243.9, Fat 49.9, SaturatedFat 30.1, Cholesterol 125.8, Sodium 1730.2, Carbohydrate 142.6, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 3.4, Protein 54.3
MOM'S MACARONI & CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Precut 1 lb. of cheese into cubes, and the remainder of the cheese shred or slice thinly and set aside. Place the butter in saucepan and let it melt. Add the cubes of cheese and milk. You may need to add more milk, depending on the consistency of the sauce and how you like your sauce-(thick or thin). Sift over low to medium heat and add the Wondra flour a little at a time until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat once you reach the desired consistency of your sauce. Drain the diced Italian tomatoes and add to the cheese sauce.
- Bring water to boil in large pot and add box of macaroni and cook for desired amount of time as specified on the box. Strain the macaroni and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the sauce and mix/blend together.
- Pour half of the mixer in the baking dish, add half or all* of the cheese (that you set aside earlier) to cover the macaroni and cheese, and pour the rest of the macaroni and cheese mixture on. *You may either place the rest of the cheese that you set aside if you did not use in the middle layer or you may sprinkle on the bread crumbs to make a light topping over the macaroni and cheese.
- Place in the oven for 30 minutes to 45 minutes to heat thoroughly and serve. Refrigerate the leftovers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g
Tips:
- Use a high-quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese, or a combination of cheddar and Parmesan, for a classic flavor. You can also use other types of cheese, such as Gruyère, fontina, or mozzarella, to create different flavor combinations.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: Don't overcook the macaroni, or it will become mushy. Cook it until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a roux to thicken the sauce: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. It will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce for your macaroni and cheese.
- Use milk and cream for a richer sauce: Milk and cream will help to create a richer and more flavorful sauce. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream. If you are using heavy cream, you may want to reduce the amount of butter in the recipe.
- Season the sauce to taste: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat.
Conclusion:
Macaroni 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, so you can customize it to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious macaroni and cheese that your family and friends will love.
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