Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our collection of delectable macaroni and cheese recipes. From the classic baked macaroni and cheese, a nostalgic dish that warms the soul with its creamy, cheesy goodness and golden-brown crust, to the more adventurous lobster macaroni and cheese, a luxurious treat that combines the richness of lobster with the comforting flavors of macaroni and cheese, we have a recipe for every palate. For a lighter option, try our healthy macaroni and cheese, which uses whole-wheat pasta and reduced-fat cheese for a healthier twist on the classic dish. And for those who love a kick of spice, our jalapeno macaroni and cheese adds a touch of heat to the creamy goodness. No matter your preference, our macaroni and cheese recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling cozy and content.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GRANDMA'S SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE
This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese recipe that we all crave and only get to have twice a year, if we play our cards right. Fairly simple and straightforward. The key is cooking time more than anything.
Provided by Rhett Towles
Categories Side Dish
Time 48m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
- Layer some of the macaroni in a 5-quart baking dish; top with a layer of Cheddar cheese. Continue layering macaroni and Cheddar cheese into the dish, ending with a Cheddar cheese layer.
- Beat milk, eggs, and mustard together in a bowl; pour over macaroni mixture, ensuring milk mixture gets to all of the macaroni.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just before cheese around the sides gets crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 477.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 143.3 mg, Fat 32.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 27.8 g, SaturatedFat 19.8 g, Sodium 599 mg, Sugar 2 g
CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
- Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
- Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1076, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 31 grams, Sodium 1027 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 1 gram
GRANDMOTHER'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese. It is best when cooked in a clay baking dish at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 1 hour.
Provided by LAURA67
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a 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.
- Stir macaroni, Cheddar cheese, milk, egg, mustard, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour into a baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until brown and thickened, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Carbohydrate 22.4 g, Cholesterol 94.2 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 344.2 mg, Sugar 3 g
AS CLOSE TO GRANNY'S BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE
My granny was an amazing cook, but like most great chefs she did not follow any written recipe. Unfortunately, I came into cooking long after her passing and when the hunger pang hit me one Sunday...I began searching far and wide for her macaronni and cheese out there. This is as close as I've come.
Provided by Mousie Ann
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Boil elbow macaroni as directed on package. Set aside.
- Melt butter in saucepan.
- Blend flour, milk & cream. Cook stirring constantly until boil (2 to 3 minutes).
- Remove from heat and add papricka, pepper, and 2 C of grated sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
- Stir in cooked elbow macaroni and salt to taste.
- Spoon final mixture into a small casserole dish.
- Garnish top with remaining grated sharp cheddar cheese.
- 'Dot' top with additional butter. (I usually dot with another 2 tbl of butter).
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes.
GRANDMA'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my Grandmothers recipe for macaroni and cheese. Serves about 8 comfortably, more if its served as a side dish. I had to guess at the serving size as she says "depends on how many are eating and how hungry they are". Very tasty! This is creamy, cheesy kid pleasing (and adults love it too)!
Provided by Brooke Alicia
Categories Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 1 Casserole
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In saucepan, melt butter.
- Remove from heat; blend in flour & salt.
- Add milk; heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens a little and is smooth.
- Add 3 C cheese, heat until melted.
- Combine macaroni & sauce in casserole pan.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top of casserole is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 3966.6, Fat 222.8, SaturatedFat 139, Cholesterol 694.3, Sodium 7067, Carbohydrate 301.4, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 10.8, Protein 186.4
Tips:
- Use a quality macaroni noodle. A good macaroni noodle will hold its shape and not become mushy when baked.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the macaroni from becoming overcooked and mushy when baked.
- Use a creamy and flavorful cheese sauce. A good cheese sauce will make all the difference in your baked macaroni and cheese. Use a combination of cheeses that you like, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère.
- Add some extras to your baked macaroni and cheese. Some popular additions include cooked bacon, chopped ham, diced tomatoes, and peas. Get creative and experiment with different flavors.
- Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly. This will ensure that the macaroni and cheese is cooked through and has a nice crispy crust.
Conclusion:
Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. With its creamy, cheesy sauce and crispy crust, it's a dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. Follow these tips to make the best baked macaroni and cheese you've ever had.
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