Best 2 Chef Trees Mac And Cheese Recipes

Are you in the mood for some comfort food? Chef Trees' Mac and Cheese is the perfect dish to satisfy your cravings. This creamy and cheesy pasta dish is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

This mouthwatering recipe can be made in just 45 minutes, and it's the ultimate comfort food. Featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a rich and velvety cheese sauce made with five different types of cheese, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning palate. The addition of crispy bacon and crunchy panko breadcrumbs adds an extra layer of texture and flavor that takes this dish to the next level.

Whether you're cooking for a special occasion or just looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, Chef Trees' Mac and Cheese is the perfect choice. It's also a great dish to make ahead of time and reheat when you're ready to serve.

So gather your ingredients and get ready to indulge in a cheesy, creamy, and downright delicious culinary experience. Chef Trees' Mac and Cheese is waiting to become your new favorite comfort food.

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

CHEF JOHN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese image

This easy-to-make old-school macaroni and cheese has a perfectly crispy crust.

Provided by Chef John

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

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon white pepper
3 cups milk
1 pinch ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.
Stir in nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.
Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.8 g, Cholesterol 94.5 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 19.9 g, Sodium 928.4 mg, Sugar 8.1 g

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

Southern Macaroni and Cheese image

There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It's adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can't find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place.

Provided by Kiera Wright-Ruiz

Categories dinner, weeknight, casseroles, noodles, pastas, main course, side dish

Time 45m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Steps:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

Tips:

Use a good quality cheese: This is the most important ingredient in mac and cheese, so don't skimp. Use a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
Cook the macaroni al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will make your mac and cheese mushy.
Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to give your mac and cheese a smooth and creamy texture.
Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make your mac and cheese sauce rich and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want your sauce to be.
Season your mac and cheese: Don't forget to season your mac and cheese with salt, pepper, and other spices. This will help to bring out the flavor of the cheese and other ingredients.

Conclusion:

Chef Trees' mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy texture, cheesy flavor, and crispy topping, this mac and cheese is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!