Best 8 Awesome Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our curated collection of mouthwatering mac and cheese recipes. From classic stovetop versions to innovative baked dishes, our selection caters to every taste and preference. Dive into the nostalgic flavors of our Traditional Mac and Cheese, featuring a velvety cheese sauce that coats perfectly cooked pasta. Craving something a bit more indulgent? Try our Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese, where crispy bacon bits elevate the dish to a new level of deliciousness. For a vegetarian delight, our Roasted Red Pepper Mac and Cheese offers a vibrant twist with roasted red peppers adding a touch of sweetness and smokiness. If you're a fan of bold flavors, our Spicy Mac and Cheese will tantalize your taste buds with a kick of heat. And for a unique take on this classic dish, our Lobster Mac and Cheese combines luxurious lobster meat with a rich and creamy cheese sauce. With so many enticing options to choose from, your taste buds are in for a journey of cheesy goodness.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Categories     Casserole

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni, large shells, or cavatappi pasta
6 tablespoons salted butter
⅓ cup grated yellow onion
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 ounces extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

AWESOME MAC AND CHEESE



Awesome Mac and Cheese image

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

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart warm milk
salt and pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
5 ounces cubed cheddar cheese (I used shredded)
5 ounces cubed monterey jack cheese
paprika (optional)

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

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is a nice rich mac and cheese. Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner. Hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Judy

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 858.2 calories, Carbohydrate 66.7 g, Cholesterol 141.6 mg, Fat 48.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 29.9 g, Sodium 879.3 mg, Sugar 10.7 g

MARVELOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE



Marvelous Macaroni and Cheese image

This is the most awesome Macaroni & Cheese that we have ever eaten. It is a family favorite and we have it once a week. All four of my kids request it often, and my husband thinks it's incredible. Hope you enjoy this comfort food.

Provided by Karen..

Categories     Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lb macaroni (I prefer large elbows or medium shells)
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter or 6 tablespoons margarine (I prefer butter)
2 cups milk (I use skim)
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
  • Drain, rinse and set aside.
  • In same pot over low heat, melt the butter.
  • Add flour, salt and pepper and whisk into melted butter until smooth.
  • Simmer and stir until mixture thickens into a paste and is golden.
  • Slowly add milk and whisk into butter mixture until smooth.
  • Bring to boil and then simmer until thickened.
  • There is no way to tell you how thick, except to say it should be thicker than gravy but not as thick as pudding.
  • If you have made basic white sauce, you will know when it is thick enough.
  • Remove pot from heat.
  • Add cheddar cheese and stir until cheese starts to melt.
  • Add macaroni and stir until coated.
  • Pour into a 9 x 12 baking dish or 2 quart casserole.
  • As an extra indulgence, you can sprinkle 4 oz more cheese on top.
  • I only do this if I happen to buy a 12 oz bag or block instead of 8 oz.
  • Bake about 20- 30 minutes, when you see top getting a bit crispy and brown.

MINI MAC & CHEESE BITES



Mini Mac & Cheese Bites image

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. -Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 45m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1-3/4 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup biscuit/baking mix
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, sprinkle 1/4 cup bread crumbs into 36 greased mini-muffin cups. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and seasonings until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese until melted., Remove from heat; stir in biscuit mix, eggs and 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Add macaroni; toss to coat. Spoon about 2 tablespoons macaroni mixture into prepared mini-muffin cups; sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and bread crumbs., Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 162mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.

REALLY AWESOME MACARONI AND CHEESE



Really Awesome Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Really Awesome Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Normaone

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 3/4 cups small elbow macaroni
5 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cubed (1/2-inch)
2 tablespoons flour, plus
2 teaspoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/3 cups half-and-half cream
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
2/3 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
5 ounces more extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Butter a 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni al dente.
  • Drain and place in the buttered dish.
  • Add the cubed cheddar and combine.
  • Whisk flour, salt, mustard, pepper, cayenne and nutmeg in a medium bowl until no lumps are visible.
  • Gradually whisk in half-and-half, followed by the whipping cream and finally the sour cream.
  • Add eggs and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Whisk well to blend.
  • Pour mixture over macaroni and cheese mixture.
  • Sprinkle with the grated cheese.
  • Bake in the center of the oven, 25 minutes until edges are set but center is still liquid.
  • Remove from oven and let stand about 10 minutes to thicken sauce.
  • The sauce will still be creamy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 387.7, Fat 29.3, SaturatedFat 17.8, Cholesterol 130.4, Sodium 582.3, Carbohydrate 18.7, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 1.4, Protein 12.9

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.

Provided by g0dluvsugly

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large 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.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

CHUCK'S FAVORITE MAC AND CHEESE



Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese image

Easily doubled for a potluck, cottage cheese and sour cream are the unique elements to this macaroni and cheese recipe.

Provided by MRSO

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.
  • In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.5 g, Cholesterol 87.7 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 26.8 g, SaturatedFat 20.3 g, Sodium 720.2 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

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 strong flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. Don't overcook the macaroni, or it will become mushy. Cook it just until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. It also adds a rich, nutty flavor to the dish.
  • Use milk and cream. Milk and cream add creaminess and richness to the cheese sauce. Use whole milk for a richer sauce, or skim milk for a lighter sauce.
  • Season the cheese sauce. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add herbs, such as thyme or basil, for extra flavor.
  • Bake the mac and cheese. Baking the mac and cheese helps to brown the top and gives it a crispy texture. You can also broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes at the end to get a golden brown crust.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you like your mac and cheese simple or loaded with toppings, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these mac and cheese recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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