Best 5 Donnas Easy Baked Macaroni Cheese Recipes

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**Donna's Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese: A Classic Comfort Food Dish Delight**

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Donna's Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese. This timeless classic is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring tender macaroni enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce, and topped with a golden-brown crust. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will satisfy your cravings and warm your soul.

This curated collection of recipes offers a diverse range of macaroni and cheese variations, catering to every palate and preference. From the classic cheddar cheese version to unique takes infused with unexpected ingredients, Donna's Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese has something for everyone.

Embrace the simplicity of Donna's original recipe, where the harmonious blend of sharp cheddar cheese, creamy milk, and aromatic spices creates an irresistible, velvety sauce. Embark on a cheesy adventure with the Bacon and Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese, where crispy bacon and spicy jalapeños elevate the dish to a new level of flavor.

For a touch of sophistication, try the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, where succulent lobster meat adds a luxurious twist to the classic recipe. Vegetarian enthusiasts will delight in the Roasted Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese, a vibrant medley of roasted vegetables that brings a burst of color and nutrition to the dish.

No matter your choice, Donna's Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese promises an unforgettable culinary experience. Prepare to be captivated by the irresistible aroma, indulge in the rich and creamy texture, and savor the symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. Let this beloved dish transport you to a realm of comfort and satisfaction, creating lasting memories with every bite.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

DONNA'S EASY BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



Donna's Easy Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

My husband's baked macaroni & cheese is absolutely delicious and is a requirement at ALL family gatherings. The simplicity of the dish is what makes it so easy and tasty. There is no flour or roux, or eggs. Sometimes less is more!

Provided by Donna Graffagnino

Categories     Casseroles

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb pasta (elbow, rotini, bucatini)
1 stick butter or margarine
2 c milk
1 lb shredded cheddar
salt

Steps:

  • 1. The American favorite pasta is small elbow noodles or rotini. The Italian favorite is long macaroni or Bucatini.
  • 2. Boil the pasta of your choice in very well salted water until al dente. Don't cook the pasta completely because it will finish cooking in the oven. Pour into a colander and quickly rinse with cold water to stop the cooking - allow to drain.
  • 3. In the same pot that you boiled the pasta, add butter and melt it over low heat. Turn Off Heat! Add the milk and the drained pasta - stir well. Taste at this point to see if it needs any additional salt. Remember that cheese is salty so don't add too much if it's needed.
  • 4. Add about 1/3 of the shredded cheese to the pasta & milk and stir. It doesn't have to completely melt, just get it mixed well.
  • 5. In a large casserole dish layer half of the noodles, then put a layer of cheese.
  • 6. Add the rest of the noodles and all of the remaining liquid, then layer the top with the remaining cheese.
  • 7. Bake at 350° F for 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbly and cheese is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to sit about 5-10 minutes. Serve hot. Enjoy!
  • 8. *NOTES: I prefer to use a mixture of mild and sharp cheddar. Use Colby or whatever flavor cheese that you like to make it your own. If you like pepper, granulated garlic or onion then add it - I don't think it needs it but make it to your taste.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'

Provided by Meredith

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

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package macaroni
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
  • Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for the dish
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni with ridges
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups milk
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

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.

THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



The Easiest Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2-3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 cups milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter in microwave.
  • Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
  • Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
  • Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
  • Add milk. Do not stir.
  • Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7

BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Baked Macaroni & Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: Murray's® Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese, Murray's® Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, large eggs, evaporated milk, kosher salt, sugar, freshly ground black pepper, dried elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, Murray's® Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Provided by Kroger

Categories     Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 oz Murray's® Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese
8 oz Murray's® Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
2 large eggs
1 can evaporated milk
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 package dried elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the baking dish
4 cups Murray's® Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Cut the Murray's® Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese and Sharp White Cheddar Cheese into ½" cubes.
  • Add the eggs, evaporated milk, salt, sugar, and pepper to a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 5-8 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the macaroni sit in the hot water for 3 minutes, until tender. Drain the macaroni and return to the pot.
  • Turn the heat to low and add the butter and Murray's® Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese are completely melted.
  • Pour the macaroni into a 9"x13" baking dish greased with butter and spread evenly. Add the egg and milk mixture and the cubed cheese, and carefully fold into the macaroni until well combined.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the top of the macaroni is golden brown.
  • Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use fresh pasta: Fresh pasta cooks faster and has a better texture than dried pasta.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is still slightly firm to the bite and will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: A combination of cheeses will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavor. Try using a mix of cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Asiago.
  • Add some extras: Don't be afraid to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or chopped broccoli.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make mac and cheese. Don't be afraid to try different recipes and find one that you love.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you like it simple or loaded with extras, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try.

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