Mac and cheese, a classic comfort food, gets a nutritious and colorful twist with the addition of carrots. This carrot mac and cheese recipe is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, offering a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for both kids and adults. The carrots add a vibrant orange hue, a subtle sweetness, and a boost of essential vitamins and minerals. The creamy cheese sauce, made with a blend of cheddar and Parmesan, envelops the tender macaroni and carrots, creating a rich and gooey indulgence. This recipe also includes variations for those seeking a healthier version or a touch of extra flavor, such as using whole wheat pasta, adding chopped broccoli or peas, or incorporating a hint of garlic or herbs. With its ease of preparation and customizable options, this carrot mac and cheese is sure to become a family favorite.
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HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
This homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole is the best you've ever had. Tender noodles in a velvety sauce make the perfectly irresistible dish!!
Provided by Holly Nilsson
Categories Casserole Dinner Entree Main Course Pasta
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Cook macaroni al dente (firm) according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water.
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and let cook 2 minutes while stirring. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard powder, onion powder, salt & pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese & 3 cups cheddar cheese until melted. Add soup if using.
- Toss cheese sauce & macaroni noodles together. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 18-24 minutes or until bubbly. Do not over cook. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 32 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Sodium 529 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1076, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 31 grams, Sodium 1027 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
There are two schools of thought about macaroni and cheese: Some like it crusty and extra-cheesy (here's our recipe), while others prefer it smooth and creamy. But most people are delighted by any homemade macaroni and cheese. It is light years ahead of the boxed versions. This creamy version has one powerful advantage for the cook: There's no need to preboil the pasta. It cooks in the oven, absorbing the liquid from the dairy products.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories brunch, dinner, easy, lunch, weekday, casseroles, main course, side dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
- In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup grated Cheddar for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated Cheddar, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 427, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 496 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CARROTY MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories Pasta Side Vegetarian Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Back to School Dinner Lunch Cheddar Carrot Family Reunion Potluck Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Arrange a rack in the top third of the oven.
- 2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water; add carrot 3 minutes before pasta is finished cooking; drain well.
- 3. While pasta is hot, stir in all but 1/2 cup of the cheddar and the butter. In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, eggs, salt, mustard powder, and pepper. Fold mixture into the pasta.
- 4. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and the parmesan over the top. Bake until the casserole is firm to the touch and golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for mac and cheese, but you can use any short pasta shape you like, such as penne, shells, or rotini.
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or fontina for a more subtle flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta: The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and ruin the texture of your mac and cheese.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. Be sure to cook the roux until it is golden brown, as this will help to prevent the cheese sauce from curdling.
- Add the cheese gradually: Add the cheese to the sauce gradually, stirring constantly until it is melted and smooth. This will help to prevent the cheese from curdling.
- Season the sauce to taste: Once the cheese sauce is melted and smooth, season it to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices, such as paprika or cayenne pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately: Mac and cheese is best served immediately, while it is still hot and gooey. You can top it with additional cheese, breadcrumbs, or parsley before serving.
Conclusion:
Carrot Macaroni and cheese are a delicious food. It gets cheesy flavor of cheese, tastiness of macaroni, and Vitamin from carrot. This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, or for a special occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious mac and cheese that the whole family will love.
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