When it comes to comfort food, there's nothing quite like a warm and gooey bowl of macaroni and cheese. This classic Italian dish is a favorite of people of all ages, and there are countless variations on the traditional recipe. In this article, we'll share three delicious and easy-to-make macaroni and cheese recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table. From a classic baked mac and cheese to a lighter skillet version and a unique one-pot recipe, we've got you covered. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let's get cooking!
Let's cook with our recipes!
ITALIAN MAC-N-CHEESE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings, plus leftovers
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and cook pasta to a chewy al dente, about 8 minutes.
- In a nonstick skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain cooked crumbles on paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and add extra-virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and mushrooms. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Saute 3 to 5 minutes, until mushrooms are lightly golden.
- Preheat broiler to high.
- To mushrooms, add flour and stir, cooking 2 minutes. Whisk in stock, then stir in cream. Bring cream to a bubble, then stir in 2 cups of 4 cheese blend. When cheese has melted into sauce, add tomatoes. When sauce comes to a bubble, remove from heat and adjust seasonings, adding hot sauce if desired.
- Combine cheese sauce with sausage and pasta, transfer to flameproof baking dish, casserole or flameproof serving platter. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of 4 cheese blend and the grated Parmesan over the top and brown under hot broiler.
ITALIAN MACARONI AND CHEESE
A rich creamy Italian macaroni cheese made the Italian way with a thick cheese fondue. This is a decadent meal that you will savor.
Provided by Kit
Categories dinner
Time 12m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and stir. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese fondue. Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium low heat until it is steaming but not bubbling. Add the rocchetta cheese, and stir until it melts. Keep it steaming hot until the pasta is ready. Undercook the pasta just a little, you want to let it finish cooking right in the cheese fondue. Once the pasta is very very al dente, drain it and add it to the cheese fondue and let it cook in the sauce for 2 minutes. Then add the parmesan, stir, and divide the macaroni and cheese between two bowls. Top with freshly ground black pepper, and toasted breadcrumbs if you like, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427 calories, Carbohydrate 34 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 81 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 27 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 12 grams protein, SaturatedFat 17 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 418 grams sodium, Sugar 3 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams unsaturated fat
ITALIAN THREE-CHEESE MACARONI
My husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. -Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 12 servings (1 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni., Spread 1 cup cheese sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with half of macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top., Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 763mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.
AWESOME MAC AND CHEESE
Make and share this Awesome Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by basfishinlady
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- In medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, then whisk in warm milk a little at a time to make a white sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Mix in salt, pepper, and cayenne and stir frequently until sauce thickens.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella and jack cheese. Combine pasta with sace and stir well. Pour into baking dish. Use paprika on top if desired. Bake 45-60 minutes, or until top is the desired cripiness. Let rest 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 549.8, Fat 31.6, SaturatedFat 19.7, Cholesterol 95.3, Sodium 430.9, Carbohydrate 42.9, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 1, Protein 23.4
Tips for Making the Best Italian Macaroni and Cheese:
- Use high-quality ingredients. Start with the best pasta, cheese, and milk you can find. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give your dish the best flavor.
- Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will make your macaroni and cheese mushy.
- Make a creamy cheese sauce. Use a combination of different cheeses to create a rich and flavorful sauce. A good starting point is to use equal parts cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Add some vegetables to your macaroni and cheese. This is a great way to sneak some extra nutrients into your dish. Try adding broccoli, cauliflower, or peas.
- Season your macaroni and cheese to taste. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.
- Bake until golden brown. This will give your macaroni and cheese a crispy top and a gooey center.
Conclusion:
Italian macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. By following the tips in this article, you can make the best macaroni and cheese that you have ever tasted. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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