Best 6 Cheater Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a comforting and nostalgic dish loved by people of all ages, is elevated to new heights in this article with a collection of mouthwatering recipes. From classic stovetop macaroni and cheese to one-pot wonders and even a healthier baked version, this article offers a diverse range of recipes to satisfy every craving.

The classic stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe takes you back to your childhood with its creamy, gooey goodness. Made with elbow macaroni, butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese, and a touch of mustard powder, this timeless recipe is sure to bring a smile to your face.

For those who prefer a quick and easy option, the one-pot macaroni and cheese recipe is a lifesaver. Simply cook the macaroni in a pot, add the cheese sauce ingredients, and stir until combined. This one-pot wonder not only saves time and effort but also ensures a perfectly creamy and flavorful dish.

For those seeking a healthier alternative, the baked macaroni and cheese recipe is a great choice. Made with whole wheat macaroni, low-fat milk, and a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe offers a lighter yet equally satisfying take on the classic dish.

And for those who love to experiment, the article also includes a unique macaroni and cheese recipe made with butternut squash. This unexpected combination of flavors and textures creates a dish that is both delicious and visually stunning.

Whether you're a traditionalist who loves the classic stovetop version or a health-conscious individual seeking a lighter option, this article has a macaroni and cheese recipe that will tantalize your taste buds. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEATER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cheater Macaroni and Cheese image

I didn't have any milk on hand to make a proper white sauce for Mac and cheese so I decided to use the soup instead. My family loves this. Adjust the amount of cheese according to taste or variety of cheese, ie. sharp or medium.

Provided by mayweed

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
1 -2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni until done and drain in colander.
  • While macaroni is draining warm the condensed soup (undiluted) and add grated cheese stirring until melted.
  • Add the drained pasta and mix well.
  • Serve and enjoy!

PATTI LABELLE'S MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE



Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe image

Provided by insanelygood

Categories     Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound macaroni
9 tablespoons butter, separated
1/2 cup Muenster cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Grease a deep, 2 1/2-quart baking dish with butter.
  • Fill a large pot with water. Mix in the vegetable oil and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water.
  • Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in the microwave or a saucepan. Pour the butter into the macaroni and stir.
  • In a large bowl, combine the shredded Muenster, mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  • Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses to the macaroni. Stir in the half-and-half, Velveeta, and eggs; season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese evenly. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the cheeses start to bubble. Serve hot. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 632 cal

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

CHEATER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cheater Macaroni and Cheese image

Mac and cheese recipe I tried from food.com

Provided by Mama Dee

Categories     Pasta Sides

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 c uncooked macaroni noodles
1 can(s) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 to 2 c grated cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Cook macaroni until done and drain in colander. While macaroni is draining warm the condensed soup (undiluted) and add grated cheese stirring until melted. Add the drained pasta and mix well. Serve and enjoy!

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

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

1 pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces sharp or white Cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces fontina or Gruyère, grated
1 cup coarse bread crumbs or panko
4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

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

CHEAT'S MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cheat's Macaroni and Cheese image

That packaged mac and cheese with the dry cheese is unavailable in Greece but that's the taste my kids want! This is my attempt at duplicating it - pretty good, I think - and my kids are happy.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Kid Friendly

Time 25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb dry pasta (we like farfalle or fusilli)
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1/4 teaspoon garlic granules (optional)
16 ounces processed cheddar cheese slices (2 packages - 10 slices per package)
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Bring plenty of water to the boil and salt generously. Boil your pasta 2 minutes short of the time stated on the package.
  • While the pasta is boiling, scald milk in a small pot and add the garlic granules, if using, all the cheese and the butter. Turn off heat and just allow the cheese to sit there and melt while your pasta is cooking. When pasta is nearly done, whisk melted cheese into milk to blend.
  • Drain cooked pasta and immediately return to pot. Add hot milk/cheese mixture and stir pasta to coat. Cover pasta and allow to sit in this mixture for 10 minutes. Stir again to coat (most of sauce will have been absorbed by the pasta, leaving a thick, creamy sauce in the pot) and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 598, Fat 23.8, SaturatedFat 14.5, Cholesterol 60.5, Sodium 818, Carbohydrate 67.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 2, Protein 27.8

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Shred your own cheese for a creamier sauce.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente so it doesn't get mushy.
  • Don't overcook the cheese sauce, or it will become thick and rubbery.
  • Feel free to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, vegetables, or shredded chicken.
  • Top your mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping for a crunchy contrast.

Conclusion:

This collection of "cheater" macaroni and cheese recipes offers a variety of quick and easy options for making this classic comfort food. Whether you're using a boxed mix, frozen vegetables, or pre-cooked chicken, you can have a delicious and satisfying mac and cheese on the table in no time. So next time you're short on time or just don't feel like cooking, give one of these recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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