Best 2 Ultimate Creamy Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a dish enjoyed by people of all ages, holds a special place in the realm of comfort food. This classic casserole has undergone numerous variations over time, but the ultimate creamy macaroni and cheese remains an enigma for many home cooks. With countless recipes available, finding the one that yields the perfect balance of creamy sauce, tender pasta, and gooey melted cheese can be a daunting task. Therefore, we embarked on a culinary quest to discover the ultimate recipe for creamy macaroni and cheese, leaving no stone unturned in our pursuit of gastronomic bliss.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



The Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

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

1/2 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups sweet onions, chopped
3 liters water, boiling
1 tablespoon salt
4 cups cavatappi pasta, uncooked
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon hot chili sauce, to start
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 cups old cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 cup corn, flake crumbs
1/4 cup old cheddar cheese, shredded

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 CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

This is just an awesome recipe for macaroni and cheese. It was passed down to me by a friend of my mother's who was elderly at the time she gave it to me. She was in her 80's when she gave it to me and has since passed away. I'm so glad that I was able to get this from her because it's the best recipe for macaroni and cheese...

Provided by Robyn Bruce

Categories     Side Casseroles

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb dry macaroni
4 c whole milk
4 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
12 oz grated or shredded gruyere cheese
4 c grated or shredded new york sharp cheddar cheese or monterey jack cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Bring large pot of unsalted water to a boil and cook macaroni just until tender. Drain, rinse under cold water. Drain again and set aside. (I use unsalted water because cheese is naturally salty. You can always use a little salt once it is on your plate if it's not salty enough for your taste.)
  • 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • 3. Bring milk just to a boil in heavy saucepan (remove the second it starts to boil to prevent scalding) and set aside.
  • 4. Meanwhile, melt butter in another saucepan and add flour. Whisk over low heat for 5 minutes. Do not brown.
  • 5. Remove from heat and add hot milk to flour mixture. Whisk well. Add 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Return pan to heat. Cook over medium heat whisking constantly until thickened - about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
  • 6. Remove from heat. Butter a 13 X 9 X 2 baking dish. Fill it evenly with macaroni and sauce.
  • 7. Distribute the grated cheeses evenly over macaroni, sprinkle with black pepper and additional paprika.
  • 8. Place dish on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, until hot - 20 to 25 minutes. Place under broiler until top is slightly golden and bubbly - 3 or 4 minutes.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a cheese that melts well and has a good flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: You don't want the macaroni to be too soft or it will become mushy. Cook it according to the package directions, but test it a few minutes before the recommended cooking time to make sure it's still slightly firm.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. It helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
  • Use milk or cream: You can use milk, cream, or a combination of both to make the cheese sauce. Milk will produce a lighter sauce, while cream will produce a richer, more decadent sauce.
  • Season the cheese sauce: Don't forget to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a bit of garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for extra flavor.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a nice crunch to the mac and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. Whether you like it simple or cheesy, baked or stovetop, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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