"Nic's Easiest Creamiest Macaroni and Cheese" is a classic comfort food dish that is sure to satisfy your cravings. This delectable recipe combines tender macaroni, a rich and creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping for a truly indulgent experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this step-by-step guide will help you create a perfect macaroni and cheese dish that will impress your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This baked mac and cheese - perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish - is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield Serves 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
- Heat the half-and-half and cayenne in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the butter and a sprinkle of salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
THE CREAMIEST MACARONI-AND-CHEESE
Cooking the noodles in milk, then baking them with three cheeses produces sublime, if caloric, results in this recipe from the Pasta Information Centre. This was printed in the Toronto Star a few years ago.
Provided by Allyoop
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large heavy saucepan, bring milk, water, onion and salt to boil.
- Stir in macaroni, simmer, partially covered, over medium low heat 8- 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove saucepan from heat.
- Stir in cream cheese, cheddar and swiss cheese, worcestershire, mustard and pepper until smooth.
- Add cream.
- Pour mixture into greased 11 x 7 inch casserole.
- Sprinkle with parmesan.
- Bake 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 469.1, Fat 27.6, SaturatedFat 17.1, Cholesterol 89.3, Sodium 323.3, Carbohydrate 34.4, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 1.4, Protein 21
NIC'S EASIEST, CREAMIEST MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe uses a box of macaroni and cheese, but puts a different, wonderful twist on it. Once you try it, you'll never follow the box directions again!
Provided by Kari Hampson
Categories Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Time 10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- 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, and return to pot.
- Combine pasta with powdered cheese mixture and condensed soup. Mix until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.4 calories, Carbohydrate 39.9 g, Cholesterol 13.2 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 906.5 mg, Sugar 5.5 g
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
NIC'S EASIEST, CREAMIEST MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe uses a box of macaroni and cheese, but puts a different, wonderful twist on it. Once you try it, you'll never follow the box directions again!
Provided by Kari Hampson
Categories Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Time 10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- 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, and return to pot.
- Combine pasta with powdered cheese mixture and condensed soup. Mix until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.4 calories, Carbohydrate 39.9 g, Cholesterol 13.2 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 906.5 mg, Sugar 5.5 g
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my absolute very favorite macaroni and cheese recipe and I have a large collection of m/c recipes. Adapted from Southern Living. I don't make this very often because I could literally eat the whole thing and lick the dish clean.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Cheese
Time 1h20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a big skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Whisk the flour in gradually until the mixture is smooth.
- Cook and whisk continually for 2 minutes.
- Add in salt, pepper, cayenne, and garlic; stir to combine.
- Gradually whisk in half-and-half and milk.
- Cook and whisk continually for 8-10 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
- Add in half of the sharp cheddar cheese; stir.
- Add in all of the extra-sharp cheddar cheese; stir until smooth.
- Take skillet off stove burner.
- Mix together the cooked macaroni and cheese mixture; transfer to a greased 13x9 inch casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with the remaining sharp cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350° oven for 20 minutes (may need to bake longer for a crispy top).
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe, inspired by Stouffer's macaroni and cheese, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that's slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don't soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness.
Provided by Eric Kim
Time 1h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
- To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Make sure to use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar or a combination of cheeses will give you the best flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for macaroni and cheese.
- Use a roux to thicken the sauce. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Add milk or cream to the sauce gradually, stirring constantly. This will help to prevent the sauce from curdling.
- Season the sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
- Let the macaroni and cheese cool slightly before serving. This will help it to set and become more firm.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, a side dish, or a snack. With a few simple tips, you can make the best macaroni and cheese that you have ever tasted. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try.
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