Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but there are many ways to customize it to your own liking. Whether you like it creamy or crunchy, cheesy or tangy, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for you. In this article, we will share the secrets to making the ultimate creamy macaroni and cheese. We will discuss the best types of cheese to use, how to cook the macaroni perfectly, and how to create a creamy sauce that is both rich and flavorful. So get ready to indulge in a bowl of pure cheesy goodness!
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Macaroni and cheese is perfect supper food. It's a kids' favorite, and adults like it too. My recipe is simple and almost as quick as the boxed variety.
Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large soup kettle. Add salt and pasta. Using package directions as a guide, cook until al dente. Drain. To prevent sticking, drain and immediately pour onto a large lipped baking sheet and let cool while preparing sauce.
- Meanwhile, microwave the milk and chicken broth in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or bowl until hot and steamy (not boiling). Melt butter in the empty pasta pot; whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard, Parmesan and pepper. Turn off heat, stir in cheddar until melted.
- Add drained pasta (and optional flavoring ingredients, see notes) to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined over low heat. Stir to heat through, and thin with a little water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 529.1 calories, Carbohydrate 47.1 g, Cholesterol 82.3 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 1202.9 mg, Sugar 8.5 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.
THE ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
There is always room for one more mac & cheese recipe. This newly created version with the addition of ricotta cheese puts a whole new spin on this traditional comfort food. Is this recipe too large for your family? Remember, Mac & Cheese is terrific frozen in serving size portions for use later. Created for RSC 16, and was awarded First Place. My thanks to everyone that reviewed the recipe.
Provided by Diana 2
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 1h5m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Saute onions, on low heat, in 1 tbsp of butter until just tender, but not brown. Set aside.
- In a large pot, add 1 tbsp salt to the boiling water, and cook pasta until al denta. Drain, but do not rinse.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.
- In a microwave safe measuring cup, mix the half and half with the milk, and heat for 2 minutes on high, in the microwave. Let sit in the microwave until ready to use. (This step is not crucial, but the sauce will thicken faster when using warmed milk.).
- Preheat oven to 350*. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium sized saucepan, using medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter along with the black pepper. Once bubbling, sprinkle with 1/4 cup of flour. Allow a few moments for the fat to absorb the flour, then stir to combine. Carefully stir the warmed cream/milk into the butter/flour mixture and cook until thickened. This generally takes about 10 minutes on my stove.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the onions, hot chili sauce, ricotta cheese, and the 2 cups of shredded cheddar. Stir until the cheddar has melted. Taste, and add the optional salt if needed. Depending on your taste, you may also opt to increase the amount of hot chili sauce as well.
- Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and gently stir. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix together 1 tbsp melted butter with the corn flake crumbs. Sprinkle over the pasta and top with the 1/4 cup shredded cheddar.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling.
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is America's favorite comfort food--tender macaroni, rich and cheesy sauce and a crisp crumb topping.
Provided by McCormick Spice
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips McCormick®
Time 1h
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package for al dente pasta. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
- Melt butter in same saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and seasonings. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until well blended. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook 3 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add macaroni; toss gently to coat. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix panko and paprika; sprinkle evenly over top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.1 calories, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Cholesterol 64.9 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 550 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a saucepan over low heat, add oil then the onions sweat until translucent. (no color) Add the butter. When butter is melted, stir in the flour, stir until smooth. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, heat the milk and wine until it boils. Remove from the heat, stir in the paprika, cheese, season to taste with nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Mix in your cooked macaroni and serve immediately. Note: If you like to turn this dish into a casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the macaroni and cheese into a casserole dish, sprinkle 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese on top, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried bread crumbs on top of the cheese. Cook for approximately 4 minutes or until lightly brown.
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a saucepan over low heat, add oil then the onions sweat until translucent. (no color) Add the butter. When butter is melted, stir in the flour, stir until smooth. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, heat the milk and wine until it boils. Remove from the heat, stir in the paprika, cheese, season to taste with nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Mix in your cooked macaroni and serve immediately.
THE ABSOLUTE AND MOST ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I got this in a recipe chain letter. We eat a lot of m&c and this one is really the ultimate! It's different (in a good way) that you don't have to cook the sauce first, it bakes right in with the macaroni.
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 40m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly butter 13- x 9- x 2-inch glass baking dish.
- Cook macaroni in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite.
- Drain pasta.
- Transfer to prepared dish.
- Mix in cubed cheese.
- Whisk flour, salt, mustard, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg in medium bowl until no lumps remain.
- Gradually whisk in half and half, then whipping cream and sour cream.
- Add eggs and whisk to blend.
- Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to blend.
- Sprinkle grated cheese over.
- Bake macaroni and cheese until just set around edges but sauce is still liquid in center, about 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes to thicken slightly (sauce will be creamy).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 340.2, Fat 25.9, SaturatedFat 15.8, Cholesterol 115.9, Sodium 501.8, Carbohydrate 15.4, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 0.6, Protein 11.9
Tips:
- Use a good 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 for a classic flavor, or experiment with other cheeses like Gruyère, Parmesan, or Fontina.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: Macaroni that is cooked too soft will become mushy in the cheese sauce. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but taste it before draining it to make sure it is still slightly firm.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from curdling and will give it a smooth and creamy texture.
- Use milk and cream: Milk and cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. Use whole milk for a richer flavor, or use a combination of milk and cream for a lighter sauce.
- Add some extras: You can add all sorts of extras to your macaroni and cheese to make it even more delicious. Try adding cooked bacon, diced ham, chopped vegetables, or even a dollop of sour cream.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but there are a few tips and tricks that you can use to make it even better. By following the tips in this article, you can create a creamy, cheesy, and delicious macaroni and cheese that your family and friends will love.
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