Best 5 Birds Famous Macaroni And Cheese Lite Recipes

BIRD'S FAMOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Stir in flour, salt, dry mustard and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Stir in cheeses (a little at a time) and mix until smooth and cheese has melted.
• In a large bowl, pour cheese mixture over macaroni, mixing well. Place mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

GRANDMA'S FAMOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• NOTE: IF YOU DON'T HAVE SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, SUBSTITUTE I CUP OF THE CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH GRATED ROMANO CHEESE. MEASURE 4 LEVEL CUPS (ABOUT 14 OUNCES) OF DRY MACARONI (DON'T USE A FULL POUND). USE WHOLE MILK ONLY (STEP ONE PREP): Preheat oven to 350°F ; Lightly butter or spray a 2.8 - 3 quart casserole dish. Shred 20 ounces sharp cheddar cheese on a medium grate. Set aside approximately 1 cup of shredded cheese for the final garnish. Prepare the breadcrumb topping if using (melt butter, then toss all ingredients well). Set all aside until needed.
• INTO a large pot with an accompanying tight-fitting lid, add 12 cups (3 quarts) water enough kosher salt to season moderately; BRING to a rapid boil.
• ADD macaroni to boiling water and bring back to a rapid boil; COOK, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes; COVER pot and remove from heat; LET stand 10 minutes; DRAIN in a colander placed in sink; RINSE with hot water and allow to drain again.
• IN the previous emptied pot over a low heat setting, add the butter in tablespoons until melted; SPRINKLE in the flour and stir; RAISE heat to medium low and cook until light golden, bubbly and slightly nutty in aroma, stirring as needed (do not let mixture turn brown or you will need to wash the pot and start over!).
• RAISE heat to medium-high; GRADUALLY whisk in the milk; WHISK in the kosher salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and nutmeg; CONTINUE whisking until mixture begins to steam and bubble; REDUCE heat and cook 1-2 minutes until fully thickened; REMOVE from heat and let stand 1-2 minutes.
• STIR in the sharp cheddar cheese (except the reserved 1 cup) until blended and creamy; FOLD in the macaroni and blend until creamy and macaroni is clump-free.
• POUR mixture into prepared baking dish; SPRINKLE evenly with reserved 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese; TOP evenly with combined BUTTERED BREADCRUMB TOPPING ingredients (or if not using breadcrumb topping, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons powdered parmesan cheese).
• SLIDE out oven rack using oven mitts; PLACE casserole dish in center of prepared baking sheet; SET oven timer for 35 minutes.
• BAKE until timer sounds; CHECK to make sure breadcrumbs are golden brown and edges are bubbling (if not, return to oven and continue baking); REMOVE from oven and place on cooling rack; COOL and let stand a few minutes before serving.
• SERVE and enjoy.

FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE (LIGHTER RECIPE)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Cook macaroni as directed on package.
• While macaroni is cooking, melt margarine in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
• Drain macaroni. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

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.

BIRD'S FAMOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE (LITE)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, mix margarine and milk. Add the cheeses and cheese soup until the cheeses melt.
• Add the eggs, sour cream, mustard, salt, and pepper and stir well.
• Add macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.