Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages, can be easily prepared at home with a few simple ingredients. This versatile dish can be tailored to your own preferences, whether you prefer a creamy, cheesy sauce or a crispy, golden-brown topping. With endless variations and endless possibilities, the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe is out there waiting to be discovered. In this article, we will explore some of the best macaroni and cheese recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dish. From traditional baked macaroni and cheese to lighter, healthier versions, we have something for everyone. So grab your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary journey to find the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe that will satisfy your cravings.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE
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
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
SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE
A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.
Provided by g0dluvsugly
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large 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.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g
MACARONI AND CHEESE MY WAY
Steps:
- Preheat broiler.
- Bring a large post of water to a rolling boil, add pasta shells and cook al dente, according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add the olive oil and tasso or bacon, cook until just crisp,
- then add shallots and garlic. Cook and stir over moderate heat just until shallots are translucent. Add the flour, cook stirring constantly to blend and toast the flour, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine, reduce until almost dry. Add the cream, bring to a simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, shrimp and spinach. Gently stir until cheese is melted, spinach is wilted and shrimp is beginning to turn pink. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Season with hot sauce, to taste.
- Drain the pasta, making sure to shake all of the water off and out of the shells.
- In a large flameproof baking dish, place drained shells. Add the cheese and shrimp mixture and gently fold into the pasta. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Place under the broiler until the breadcrumbs are toasted about 2 to 3 minutes.
WILSON'S OWN MAC N' CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Bring water, salt, and oil to boil over high heat Add pasta, bring back to a boil and cook until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, mix together eggs, evaporated milk, melted butter and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese and add the pasta. Spray an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and add the pasta mixture. Top with remaining cheese and dust with paprika.
- Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.
MY OWN MACARONI AND CHEESE
I am one of those people who never follows the recipe, so this recipe is great as it lends itself to that very well. It's also a great dish to throw in all the left over meat and veggies that you may have. Generally I add ingredients until it tastes good.
Provided by JOBOS12
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
- In large pot, cook macaroni pasta in boiling salted water with a pinch of basil and one teaspoon of olive oil until al dente. Rinse with cool water. Drain.
- Meanwhile, use a blender to mash the whole peeled tomatoes. In a large bowl combine mashed tomatoes, 1 cup of the grated Cheddar cheese, chopped bacon and bell green pepper, bacon, and chopped carrots. Mix well. Add the cooked macaroni and toss well to coat evenly.
- Place in 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese and 2 teaspoons basil on top. Layer the sliced tomatoes over all.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 765.7 calories, Carbohydrate 94.9 g, Cholesterol 68.8 mg, Fat 29 g, Fiber 6.8 g, Protein 31.6 g, SaturatedFat 14.7 g, Sodium 864.1 mg, Sugar 9.1 g
EASIEST MAC-N-CHEESE EVER!
I have tried many more-complicated recipes for macaroni and cheese. Not only is this one often requested for family functions, but it is easy to make! Kids LOVE this recipe. It is so handy for busy moms.
Provided by Anncredible
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
- Place a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine the cheese food, milk, and pepper in the saucepan; cook until the cheese has melted, stirring frequently. Stir in the drained macaroni until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 136.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 15.7 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 241.5 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
MY FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE
My favorite way to eat mac 'n cheese from a box (like Kraft's Macaroni & Cheese). The salsa added, makes it taste sooo good!
Provided by Cindi M Bauer
Categories Cheese
Time 12m
Yield 3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Prepare the mac'n cheese according to package directions. (I have also made this using the 7.25 oz. box of Kraft's Thick & Creamy Macaroni & Cheese, and it tastes just as good, or even better, but you will need to add a 1/2 cup of milk as stated on the box).
- Just before serving (and while still hot), stir in the salsa.
- *Note: Whenever I make this recipe adding salsa that's has more heat to it (like my husbands homemade 'hot' salsa), I only add 4 tablespoons to the mac 'n cheese, but if I use a store bought brand that's not so hot, and is a medium-heat tasting salsa, then I'll add 5 tablespoons of the salsa.
Tips:
- Use high-quality cheese for the best flavor. A blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses that you like.
- Cook the macaroni noodles al dente. This means that they should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to them.
- Make a roux with butter and flour to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. You can add cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, diced tomatoes, or steamed broccoli to your macaroni and cheese.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping for a crispy crust.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be easily customized to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best macaroni and cheese that you've ever had. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give macaroni and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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