Comfort food doesn't get much better than a hearty bowl of mac and cheese. This classic dish is a favorite of people of all ages, and it's easy to see why. It's creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. In this article, we'll share two delicious Aunt Martha's mac and cheese recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table. Our first recipe is a classic stovetop mac and cheese that's made with a roux-based sauce. This method results in a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the noodles perfectly. Our second recipe is a baked mac and cheese that's topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or when you want to impress your guests. You'll find both recipes are packed with flavor, and they're easy to make. So what are you waiting for? Let's get cooking!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE
Skip the bun: Eat your sausage, pepper and onion in a mac and cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h15m
Yield 10-12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta; set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the bell pepper, onion and a pinch of salt to the drippings in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to the plate with the sausage.
- Carefully wipe out the pot, add the half-and-half and cayenne and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere, 1 handful at time, until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the sausage and vegetables; adjust the seasoning with additional salt. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
AUNT MARTHA'S MAC & CHEESE
This recipe is from my Aunt Martha's recipe box; which got from her daughter, Margaret Ann , she and I are about the same age.. This is so rich and creamy, there is never any left...so if you are making it for more than 8 people you might want to make 2 or more....this freezes well. If you are going to freeze it be sure to...
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Casseroles
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350^. Brush a large casserole dish with bacon drippings or butter...set aside.(If making to freeze check about note.)Can put in individual dishes.
- 2. Sauté the shallots in the bacon drippings until lightly browned. Add in the flour and slowly add the top cream;bring to a boil while stirring,to combine;
- 3. Add the garlic, and thyme; cook for 10 minutes or until reduced to about 1/2...now add the 3 kinds of cheese ..stir to combine then add the cooked macaroni.
- 4. Stir all ingredients together and pour into the prepared casserole dish. Spread the topping over top evenly. Bake for 25 minutes or until crumbs on top are lightly browned.
THREE-CHEESE MACARONI
This homemade version of the noodle favorite will make you forget about the boxed orange variety. A sauce made with three kinds of cheeses and a crunchy breadcrumb topping really separate this mac and cheese from its store-bought counterparts.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter 10 mini (1 cup) pie plates or a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Warm milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Cook until butter is bubbling. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Gradually pour warm milk into butter mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture bubbles and thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in 3 cups cheddar, 1 cup Gruyere, 1 cup fontina, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, the nutmeg, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, and transfer pasta to cheese sauce. Stir to coat. Divide mixture among mini pie plates or transfer to baking dish. Scatter remaining cup cheddar, 1/2 cup Gruyere, and 1/2 cup fontina over top, and sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs. Bake until cheese is melted and pasta is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
AUNT MARTHA'S MACARONI SALAD
My great Aunt Martha Benner used to make this all the time during the summers at the Jersey Shore where we had all the families and kids together under one roof! Even though she has passed on, us ladies still make this same recipe today. She loved to make this with shrimp mostly, but the shrimp can be substituted with Tuna or...
Provided by Linda Kauppinen
Categories Other Side Dishes
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Mix the cooled elbow macaroni, shrimp, onion, bell pepper and parsley together. Add several large spoonfuls of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well. You may have to add more mayonnaise as it will be absorbed by the macaroni. Make sure that you add enough as the salad should be moist, but not too creamy. Re-season to taste as needed. Chill until served.
- 2. Note: You will need to add mayonnaise after this sits in the fridge for a length of time as the mayonnaise gets absorbed by the macaroni. You can also add a little more vinegar if needed.
MACARONI AND CHEESE
When it comes to comfort food, nothing tops mac 'n' cheese, especially Martha's easy-to-make version.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Yield Serves 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread, and toss. Set breadcrumbs aside.
- In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.
- While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
- Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.
- Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
- Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.
CHEATER'S MAC AND CHEESE
Some days call for a meal that soothes as much as it satisfies, and that's when this 20-minute mac-and-cheese swoops in. Pasta and broccoli are cooked in the same pot, then drained and stirred together with reserved pasta water, cream cheese, butter, and Parmesan for the easiest sauce ever. One carbo-licious bite, and all your cares will melt away.
Provided by Greg Lofts
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Time 20m
Yield Serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook pasta in a pot of generously salted boiling water 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and cover to keep warm. Add broccoli to pot; continue boiling until pasta is al dente and broccoli is bright green, 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain.
- Return pot to medium heat; add cream cheese, butter, and 2/3 cup reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, until mixture is smooth and simmering. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, broccoli, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss with more pasta water as needed until sauce clings to pasta. Serve with more Parmigiano and black pepper.
WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE
It's a bold claim, but this mac and cheese from Kurt Beecher Dammeier's "Pure Flavor" cookbook is that good. Three types of cheese-cheddar, Gruyere, and Jack-add plenty of richness, while a touch of chipotle-chile powder imbues the dish with a subtle smoky flavor.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again.
- Stir together pasta and cheese sauce until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned in places, about 20 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, a filler that prevents clumping, which can make your mac and cheese grainy.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will become mushy and absorb too much of the cheese sauce.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from being too thin or runny.
- Use a combination of cheeses. This will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavor. Some good options include cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, and Fontina.
- Season the cheese sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat.
- Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
- Let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the sauce to set and make it easier to serve.
Conclusion:
Aunt Martha's mac 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 that you can follow to make sure that it turns out perfectly. With a little bit of effort, you can make a mac and cheese that is cheesy, creamy, and delicious.
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