"Rachel's Fancy Macaroni and Cheese" is a gourmet take on the classic comfort food dish, featuring a rich and creamy béchamel sauce, tender macaroni noodles, and a crispy Parmesan-breadcrumb crust. With its luxurious texture, distinct flavors, and elegant presentation, this dish is sure to impress family and friends alike. From the choice of cheese to the selection of herbs and spices, we'll guide you through the culinary journey of creating the ultimate mac and cheese experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MACARONI AND CHEDDAR CHEESE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 entree servings, 8 side servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil and butter. When butter melts into the oil, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook, about 3 minutes. Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow the milk to thicken a bit, then stir in 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese a handful at a time. Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne. Taste and add a little salt, if you like. Add cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce. Transfer to a flameproof baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place baking dish under a hot broiler and brown the Cheddar cheese on top.
MAC AND CHEESE LORRAINE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat water for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente.
- While pasta water comes to boil, heat extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add bacon and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add onions and cook 10 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize. Add wine and cook out, 1 minute.
- While onions cook, heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter, melt and whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk and bring to a bubble. Thicken a few minutes then season with salt and pepper. Melt in cheese stirring it in a figure-8 motion with a wooden spoon. Add nutmeg and mustard and adjust salt and pepper.
- Drain pasta, toss with onions and stir in cheese sauce to coat. Top with crispy bacon and serve.
ITALIAN MAC-N-CHEESE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings, plus leftovers
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and cook pasta to a chewy al dente, about 8 minutes.
- In a nonstick skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain cooked crumbles on paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and add extra-virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and mushrooms. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Saute 3 to 5 minutes, until mushrooms are lightly golden.
- Preheat broiler to high.
- To mushrooms, add flour and stir, cooking 2 minutes. Whisk in stock, then stir in cream. Bring cream to a bubble, then stir in 2 cups of 4 cheese blend. When cheese has melted into sauce, add tomatoes. When sauce comes to a bubble, remove from heat and adjust seasonings, adding hot sauce if desired.
- Combine cheese sauce with sausage and pasta, transfer to flameproof baking dish, casserole or flameproof serving platter. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of 4 cheese blend and the grated Parmesan over the top and brown under hot broiler.
RACHEL'S SIMPLE & FLAVORFUL GARDEN MAC N CHEESE
A nice veggie and flavor loaded mac and cheese dish that doesn't require making a sauce! Cavatappi pasta does well with this too. Good way to get your kids to eat their veggies and a good one-dish meal for vegetarians.
Provided by the80srule
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 6 , 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Divide the cheese into 1.5 cup and 1/2 cup portions, divide the cilantro into 1 tbsp portions.
- Cook the macaroni al dente in salted water, and put into a mixing bowl.
- Mix all the veggies and fixings together in a small bowl, add to the macaroni.
- In a 1.5 quart casserole dish, layer the macaroni mix and 1.5 cups of cheese to the top. Pour in the half-and-half.
- Top with the remaining cheese and cilantro and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350°F.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.6, Fat 17.4, SaturatedFat 10.9, Cholesterol 54.5, Sodium 254.8, Carbohydrate 16.6, Fiber 1, Sugar 1.2, Protein 13.2
FANCY MAC 'N' CHEESE
People compare my version of mac'n'cheese to their grandma's macaroni and cheese...not knowing it starts out with a purchase box mix. Ham and broccoli add flavor and color. It brings raves at our church socials.-Janet Twigg, Campbellford, Ontario
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Set cheese sauce packet from dinner mix aside. Bring water to a boil. Add macaroni; cook for 4 minutes. Add the broccoli, onion and garlic. Cook 3-6 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender; drain., In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in cheese sauce mix and milk. Add the ham, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in macaroni mixture. , Transfer to a greased broiler-proof 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle over top. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 312 calories, Fat 19g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 932mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 14g protein.
RACHAEL RAY'S MAC AND CHEESE LORRAINE
This mac and cheese is for a more grown up palate, while still being gooey and cheesy enough for kids to love
Provided by GingerlyJ
Categories European
Time 35m
Yield 1 dish, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat water for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente.
- While pasta water comes to boil, heat extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add bacon and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add onions and cook 10 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize. Add wine and cook out, 1 minute.
- While onions cook, heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter, melt and whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk and bring to a bubble. Thicken a few minutes then season with salt and pepper. Melt in cheese stirring it in a figure-8 motion with a wooden spoon. Add nutmeg and mustard and adjust salt and pepper.
- Drain pasta, toss with onions and stir in cheese sauce to coat. Top with crispy bacon and serve.
RACHEL'S FANCY MACARONI AND CHEESE
A twist on the classic. Swiss cheese gives it a bite and mozzarella gives it stretchy, gooey, creaminess that is irresistible. A friend of mine who is a macaroni and cheese connoisseur made this for me and I had craved it since! The other day I finally made it myself and, wow! It was every bit as good as I remembered. I asked my husband if he ate the rest of the leftovers (I had wanted them) and this is what he said : "yes. :( It was so good and it doesn't kill me to say it- make that again" LOL-he is the pickiest man I have EVER met and he liked it, so give this a try!
Provided by specialbekah
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375.
- Mix Swiss and mozzarella cheeses together.
- Melt butter in medium saucepan.
- Stir in flour, salt, mustard, and pepper until smooth.
- Remove from heat and slowly stir in milk until mixture is smooth.
- Place back on heat and stir constantly until mixture is thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of cheese.
- Combine the cheese mixture with prepared noodles and place in a greased 2 quart casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese on top.
- Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes or until slightly browned on top.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Freshly grated cheese, flavorful pasta, and creamy milk will make a big difference in the final dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta will hold its shape and texture better in the macaroni and cheese.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the sauce. It will make your macaroni and cheese creamy and smooth.
- Season the sauce: Don't forget to season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Add mix-ins: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins to the macaroni and cheese, such as cooked bacon, vegetables, or shredded chicken.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a crispy texture to the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the macaroni and cheese until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
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 customized to your liking. Try one of the recipes from this article, and you're sure to find a new favorite way to enjoy this classic dish.
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