Introducing the Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese: A Culinary Symphony of Creamy Goodness
Prepare to indulge your taste buds in a culinary masterpiece that combines the comforting flavors of macaroni and cheese with a symphony of decadent ingredients. This baked mac and cheese recipe elevates the classic dish to new heights of cheesy bliss. The article presents a collection of recipes that showcase the versatility of this iconic dish, offering variations with unique flavors and textures to satisfy every palate. From a classic baked mac and cheese recipe to tantalizing variations featuring lobster, bacon, and even a vegan option, this article has something for every mac and cheese enthusiast. Embark on a culinary journey and discover the ultimate comfort food experience with our decadent baked mac and cheese recipes.
MILLION DOLLAR MAC AND CHEESE
This creamy baked mac and cheese is the most decadent mac and cheese casserole you'll ever taste! The cheese sauce is simple to make and it's layered with extra shredded cheese and sour cream.
Provided by Karly Campbell
Categories Side Dish
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta for one minute less than package directions state. Drain.
- While macaroni is cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium sized pot and add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Continue whisking and slowly pour in the milk and cream. Cook over medium heat for another 2 minutes until thickened and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Pour melted butter into the bottom of a 2 quart baking dish. Spoon half of the macaroni and cheese over the top.
- Spread the sour cream over the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with the Havarti and gruyere.
- Spoon remaining macaroni and cheese over the top.
- Stir together the Panko, melted butter, garlic salt, and parsley to make the bread crumb topping. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is as browned as you'd like.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 535 kcal, Carbohydrate 31 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 23 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Sodium 936 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
DECADENT BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This is a rendition of a macaroni and cheese dish a local restaurant makes. It's so rich and decadent I only make it once per year. It's not a "dieter's friend". You can use any pasta shape you like.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cream, half-and-half, and garlic salt. Add Gruyere cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Oaxaca cheese. Stir into cream until melted. Drain pasta and add to the sauce; stir to coat.
- Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and pour in pasta mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 299.7 calories, Carbohydrate 15.1 g, Cholesterol 69.3 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 14.2 g, SaturatedFat 12.5 g, Sodium 402 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE
Kardea Brown's grandma has been making this macaroni and cheese for more than 50 years - and before that, her great-grandmother made it. It's a staple at family gatherings, especially during the holidays. Kardea put her own twist on the recipe by adding cream cheese and sour cream. "It creates a creamier texture and slightly tangy flavor," she says.
Provided by Kardea Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain, then rinse with cold water.
- Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then add the cream cheese and all but 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the mac and cheese. Spread in the baking dish, then fold in the cubed cheddar and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar. Bake until the mac and cheese just begins to brown on top, 20 to 30 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 more minutes.
SOUTHERN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This rich and decadent baked pasta is a Southern Black staple for holidays and special occasions. Steering away from the standard stovetop mac, this version includes three kinds of cheese and bakes up like a casserole with a crispy, golden top. The addition of eggs makes it similar to a cheesy, savory custard. Warning: This is not diet food!
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h35m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until 3 minutes less than fully cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled; drain well. Add the cooked pasta back to the pot.
- Put the eggs, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, ground mustard, nutmeg and a big pinch of salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
- Toss together the Cheddar, mozzarella and Gouda in a large bowl. Add the cheeses to the pot and stir to evenly combine. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Bake until the center of the mac and cheese is set and the top is golden brown, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Kardea Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
- Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
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.
SPAM MACARONI AND CHEESE
This decadent yet simple recipe pairs creamy macaroni and cheese with crispy, salty-sweet diced Spam for a dish that bridges Puerto Rico and the South. It's much quicker than most homemade macaroni and cheese recipes (which often require making a roux and cream sauce), without sacrificing texture or flavor. It is also incredibly adaptable, because it will work with most cheeses. If you have the time and the will, sprinkle the finished macaroni with extra cheese and bake under a low broil for 5 to 10 minutes until toasted. During tough times, a box of instant mac and cheese and a can of Spam will also yield delicious results.
Provided by Von Diaz
Categories dinner, casseroles, meat, noodles, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven.
- Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high, then add Spam and fry for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the meat is evenly browned and crispy. (Feel free to taste along the way until the Spam reaches your desired crispness.) Remove from heat until ready to use.
- Once water has come to a rolling boil, add a fistful of salt, then stir in the macaroni. Cook according to package instructions, stirring several times, until al dente, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain the noodles in a large colander, then rinse the noodles and the pot with lukewarm water.
- Return pot to stovetop over medium heat and add 2 cups milk. While the milk is warming, combine remaining 1 cup milk and the flour in a medium bowl and whisk together until there are no lumps. Once the milk starts to steam, whisk in the milk-and-flour mixture, and continue to whisk gently until a béchamel forms as thick as plain yogurt, about 12 minutes.
- Once the sauce is thickened, reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in 4 cups shredded cheese until fully melted. Add white and black pepper, then season to taste with salt.
- Off heat, add Spam and cooked macaroni, and fold a dozen or so times until thoroughly mixed.
- Serve immediately, passing the extra cheese at the table, or transfer the macaroni to a casserole, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake under low broil until toasted on top, about 5 to 10 minutes.
DECADENT SEAFOOD BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Comfort Food and a Journey for the senses is what I thought of naming this. My baked seafood Mac-N-Cheese takes the standard recipe to another level of flavor. A joy to make and even better to eat. Creamy, rich and delicious! You'll feel like your dining at a fancy restaurant on the beach in your own home when you eat it, believe me... Enjoy! :-)
Provided by Mystic Eye Art
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h15m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
- Remove the crusts from 8-10 slices of fresh white bread (or french bread) and tear apart. Place the torn pieces into a large plastic ziplock bag. Melt 6 Tbsp of Butter in a small saucepan and pour half of the melted butter over the bread. Seal the bag and toss the bread until well coated. Set aside.
- In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
- While the water comes to a boil, take the remaining melted butter and brush with a pastry brush into a 3 Quart baking dish (or a disposable aluminium turkey roasting pan - for easy cleanup and transport). (Also, if you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a paper towel dipped in the butter to coat the pan). Set aside.
- In another large pot on medium heat, melt 6 Tbsp butter and, once melted, add 1/2 cup all purpose flour. Whisk together to make a rue. Slowly pour in the warm milk and whisk constantly until all the milk is added and the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Remove from heat.
- Add the olive oil to the boiling water and stir in the pasta. Follow cooking instructions on the package for cook time or until the pasta is al-dente (firm, but not hard). Pour the pasta into a colander and rinse with cold running water and allow to drain.
- Add 1/2 tsp Sea Salt, White Pepper, Nutmeg, Tarragon, Cayenne Pepper, Gruyere, Cheddar and Pecorino cheeses to the sauce mixture and stir until the cheese melts.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta and cheese sauce and pour into the buttered baking dish. Combine lobster, sea scallops and cooked bacon. Sprinkle the bread pieces over the top and place in the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese bubbles.
Tips for Making Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a combination of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan for a rich and flavorful dish.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it is baked.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin and runny.
- Use milk and cream: The combination of milk and cream creates a smooth and creamy cheese sauce. You can use all milk or all cream, but using a combination of the two will give you the best results.
- Season the cheese sauce: Be sure to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. This will help to bring out the flavor of the cheese.
- Add mix-ins: You can add a variety of mix-ins to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a nice crunchy texture to the mac and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the mac and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly. This will take about 20-25 minutes.
Conclusion
Baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Whether you like it simple or loaded with mix-ins, baked mac and cheese is sure to satisfy your cravings. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy meal, give this decadent baked mac and cheese recipe a try.Tips for Making Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a combination of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan for a rich and flavorful dish.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it is baked.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin and runny.
- Use milk and cream: The combination of milk and cream creates a smooth and creamy cheese sauce. You can use all milk or all cream, but using a combination of the two will give you the best results.
- Season the cheese sauce: Be sure to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. This will help to bring out the flavor of the cheese.
- Add mix-ins: You can add a variety of mix-ins to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a nice crunchy texture to the mac and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the mac and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly. This will take about 20-25 minutes.
Conclusion
Baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Whether you like it simple or loaded with mix-ins, baked mac and cheese is sure to satisfy your cravings. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy meal, give this decadent baked mac and cheese recipe a try.
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