Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food loved by people of all ages, comes in a delectable baked version that takes the dish to the next level. This baked macaroni and cheese features a creamy, rich cheese sauce made from a blend of three types of cheese: sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The macaroni is cooked al dente and then tossed with the cheese sauce, ensuring every bite is perfectly coated. The mixture is then topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust, adding a delightful textural contrast to the creamy interior. This baked macaroni and cheese recipe includes variations for a stovetop version, a slow cooker version, and a healthier version using whole-wheat macaroni and low-fat cheese, catering to different preferences and dietary needs. Whether you're a cheese lover looking for a satisfying indulgence or a home cook seeking a crowd-pleasing casserole, this baked macaroni and cheese recipe has you covered.
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BAKED MACARONI WITH THREE CHEESES
This macaroni and cheese features a creamy sauce and crisp topping. A great macaroni and cheese requires perfect melding of the pasta and the cheese sauce. To get that, you'll need to ignore conventional wisdom about cooking pasta until just tender (al dente). To help the cheese sauce stick to the pasta, the macaroni is cooked until just beyond al dente, which makes it more absorbent and starchier. This recipe calls for a 3-quart casserole dish, but multiple smaller baking dishes could be used. I clipped this recipe from a newspaper.
Provided by CookingONTheSide
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oven to broil.
- Use 1 T of butter to generously coat a 3-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in large stockpot.
- Add 2 T of salt, stir briefly, then add the pasta.
- Cook until tender and just past al dente, about 10-13 minutes, or slightly longer than package directions.
- Drain the pasta, then transfer it to a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta, then toss to coat; set aside.
- To make the sauce, in a small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of the remaining butter, using a whisk to swirl it to ensure the butter melts completely and does not turn brown.
- If the butter begins to brown, lower the heat.
- While whisking, sprinkle in the flour.
- Continue to whisk until the mixture just bubbles, about 2 minutes.
- Do not let the mixture brown.
- While whisking, slowly pour the milk in the saucepan.
- Continue whisking until there are no lumps.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and season with salt and pepper.
- Continue whisking until the sauce reaches the consistency of heavy cream and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat.
- Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
- Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat.
- Transfer the pasta and sauce, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl, to the prepared casserole dish.
- Set aside.
- In small microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 1 T of butter by microwaving on high for about 20 seconds.
- Add the breadcrumbs and remaining cheddar and parmesan cheeses; toss well.
- Spread the bread crumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Place the dish on the oven's middle rack and broil for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly, and a crunchy crust forms on top.
- Cool briefly before serving.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
- For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE III
This dish will make your guest beg for seconds.
Provided by TWINBABY2Q
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
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 for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a bowl mix milk, eggs, sour cream, seasoning salt, and pepper. Layer macaroni, cheddar cheese, and milk mixture until pan is full. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and pour melted butter on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until milk mixture is done.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.2 calories, Carbohydrate 37.4 g, Cholesterol 75.2 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 15.1 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 306.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
EMERIL'S THREE-CHEESE BAKED MACARONI
Everyone loves old-fashioned macaroni and cheese, and this one comes together in no time flat. Grating cheeses, whisking eggs and milk, and stirring everything together are easy tasks that children will love doing. Hungry yet? No problem -- this dish bakes in just 12 minutes. The only hard part is letting it cool before digging in!
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni 6 minutes (it will be undercooked). Drain. Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium and add bacon. Cook until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon mixture to a medium bowl. Add macaroni and stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and evaporated milk. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne, nutmeg, and cheeses; mix well. Add macaroni mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer to an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish or 2-quart gratin dish. With a spoon, gently spread mixture to form an even layer. Bake just until sauce is bubbling at edges, 12 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 484 g, Fat 26 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 24 g
3-CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In large pot filled with water add 3 pinches of salt and the macaroni and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and let cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter. Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux or paste forms. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper. Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.
- Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 by 9 baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Top with fresh parsley and serve.
BAKED MACARONI & 3 CHEESE
This is a very thick, creamy macaroni & cheese with 3 cheeses. This is a modification of Recipe #30366
Provided by Concoctionista
Categories Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In bowl, mix flour, salt, mustard, pepper and milk until smooth.
- Melt butter in large saucepan.
- Remove from heat and gradually stir in milk mixture until smooth.
- Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thickened (about 10 minutes).
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in cheeses until melted.
- Combine cheese mixture with macaroni in greased 2 quart casserole.
- Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.5, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 5.8, Cholesterol 25.3, Sodium 564.8, Carbohydrate 35.5, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 0.8, Protein 12.2
Tips:
- For a creamy macaroni and cheese, use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- If you want a gooey macaroni and cheese, add an extra ½ cup of milk.
- To make the macaroni and cheese extra crispy, top it with panko breadcrumbs before baking.
- For a spicy macaroni and cheese, add a teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- For a smoky macaroni and cheese, add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to the sauce.
- For a vegetarian macaroni and cheese, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For a vegan macaroni and cheese, use plant-based milk and cheese.
Conclusion:
No matter how you choose to make it, baked macaroni and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy sauce, cheesy goodness, and crispy topping, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this baked macaroni and cheese recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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