Best 6 Simple And Delicious Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic dish enjoyed by people of all ages, is a great go-to meal for busy weeknights or a comforting side dish for special occasions. This beloved dish offers endless variations, allowing you to customize it to your liking, whether you prefer a creamy, gooey texture or a crispy, golden-brown crust. In this article, we'll explore the secrets of creating the perfect mac n cheese, guiding you through the selection of ingredients, the art of cooking the pasta, and the various techniques for achieving a rich, flavorful sauce. So, grab your apron and let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for simple and delicious mac n cheese that will satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

DELICIOUS AND EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Delicious and Easy Macaroni and Cheese image

The only mac and cheese recipe you'll ever need- no funny ingredients, minimal effort and grand on taste!

Provided by atlantamom

Categories     Cheese

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup half-and-half
1 pinch cayenne
salt and pepper
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted, for the casserole

Steps:

  • Boil the macaroni for 4 minutes or until half-cooked (salt the water!)
  • In a medium saucepan heat the half-and-half with cayenne, salt and pepper. Add macaroni and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese and cook on medium heat until the cheese melts. Pour into a buttered casserole and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until the cheese melts.

SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS MAC 'N' CHEESE



Simple and Delicious Mac 'n' Cheese image

I've been working on a good mac and cheese recipe for a while and I'm pretty sure this is the best I've ever made. I use cavatappi pasta, but you can use any shape you have on hand. It's really easy and a great winter super... Enjoy!!

Provided by coffy_bean

Categories     Cheese

Time 25m

Yield 6-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) box cavatappi pasta, if you use a smaller pasta, use 3/4 of the box
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 cups milk, i recommend measuring it out and letting it warm up on the counter for a few minutes so it doesn't s
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, half a stick, preferably softened but not necessary
pepper
breadcrumbs (optional)

Steps:

  • cook pasta according to box directions and preheat oven to 350.
  • while pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium sauté pan. once melted stir in flour and pepper.
  • whisk flour until incorporated and bubbling.
  • slowly add milk. stir often until milk begins to thicken and bubbles form.
  • turn off heat and add 1/4 cup of parmesan and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese. whisk until combined.
  • gently fold in cooked pasta and transfer to a baking dish, i typically use an 8x8 casserole.
  • top with reserved parm and cheddar cheeses and dust lightly with bread crumbs.
  • bake until lightly toasted on top.

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

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

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

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

SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE



Super Decadent Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1 1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
  • Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.

3-INGREDIENT MAC & CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



3-ingredient Mac & Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing says comforting and classic like mac and cheese. Remember when you were a little kid and you sat down at the dinner table? There it was: a glorious pot of mac and cheese. Ooey, gooey, and oh-so-delightful. Well, we're taking you back there with our 3-ingredient mac-hack. That's right: only three ingredients to bliss. It's so good, you'll never go back to the boxed stuff!

Provided by Alvin Zhou

Categories     Sides

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

5 cups milk
1 lb elbow macaroni, dry
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil.
  • Add the pasta and stir constantly until the pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, then add the cheddar. Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is evenly coated.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 803 calories, Carbohydrate 100 grams, Fat 27 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 37 grams, Sugar 18 grams

EASY ONE-POT MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Easy One-pot Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: whole milk, elbow macaroni, butter, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Provided by Matthew Johnson

Categories     Sides

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 cups whole milk
1 box elbow macaroni
½ cup butter
2 cups cheddar cheese
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
fresh parsley, to serve

Steps:

  • In a large pot on medium-high heat, gently heat the milk to a simmer.
  • Add in the elbow macaroni. Cook until the pasta is tender.
  • Once the noodles are cooked, turn off the heat. Add in the butter, cheddar, salt, and pepper. Fold these ingredients with the pasta until the cheese and butter melt into the milk to create a thick sauce.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 758 calories, Carbohydrate 72 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 32 grams, Sugar 12 grams

Tips:

  • To achieve an ultra-smooth sauce, blend the cooked macaroni and half of the sauce mixture until smooth. Then, combine with the remaining sauce and continue cooking.
  • Enhance your mac and cheese with the addition of flavorful ingredients such as sautéed vegetables, cooked and seasoned chicken or beef, or a variety of cheeses.
  • For a crispy, golden-brown topping, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the casserole before baking.
  • Elevate the dish by stirring in a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, or a drizzle of hot sauce just before serving.
  • Experiment with different types of cheese to create unique flavor combinations. Try using a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyère.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a comforting and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its endless variations and customizable toppings, it is a meal that can be tailored to everyone's preferences. Whether you prefer a classic recipe or one with a unique twist, the tips and tricks provided in this article will help you create a delicious and memorable mac and cheese dish that will satisfy your cravings and impress your loved ones. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to create the perfect mac and cheese experience.

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