Best 3 Easy Weeknight Mac And Cheese 4 Ways Recipes

Indulge in a delectable journey of flavors and comfort with our extraordinary collection of Mac and Cheese recipes, tailored to transform your weeknights into culinary adventures. From the classic stovetop delight to quick and easy variations, our recipes cater to every craving and skill level. Embark on a cheesy escapade, starting with the traditional Mac and Cheese, a symphony of creamy béchamel sauce, tender macaroni, and a golden crust that will leave you spellbound. For those seeking a speedy fix, our One-Pot Mac and Cheese is a lifesaver, combining all ingredients in a single pot for a hassle-free feast. Craving a healthier twist? Our Baked Mac and Cheese with Zucchini and Peas is a nutritious delight, brimming with garden-fresh vegetables and a tantalizingly crisp crust. And for a touch of international flair, our Mexican Mac and Cheese will transport your taste buds with a fiesta of zesty spices, gooey cheese, and a hint of heat. Whichever recipe you choose, prepare to be captivated by the irresistible allure of macaroni and cheese, elevated to new heights of deliciousness. So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and let's embark on this cheesy expedition together!

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

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

Ingredients

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

EASY WEEKNIGHT MAC AND CHEESE 4 WAYS

Easy Weeknight Mac and Cheese 4 Ways image

A classic, creamy macaroni and cheese. Take it to the next level with Almond Breeze almondmilk and delicious toppings the whole family will love.

Provided by Almond Breeze

Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Almond Breeze

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 24

Ingredients

1 ½ cups small elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original almondmilk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Freshly ground pepper to taste
¾ cup 1/4-inch diced turkey kielbasa
⅔ cup chopped onion
⅔ cup diced bell pepper (any color)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
⅓ cup real bacon bits
1 ½ cups mixed riced cauliflower and broccoli
Garlic salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped red onion
15 slices turkey pepperoni, cut into quarters
⅓ cup diced bell pepper (any color)
⅓ cup sliced olives

Steps:

Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, about 8 minutes.
While macaroni is cooking, melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in Almond Breeze almondmilk and stock and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Stir in mustard, onion powder, and garlic salt.
Add cheese a little at a time, cooking and stirring until melted before adding more. Season with pepper. Drain macaroni well and stir in. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
For Sausage and Pepper topping: Cook sausage and onion in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sausage is browned and onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and thyme; cook and stir for 2 minutes more to soften peppers. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
For Riced Veggie and Bacon topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bacon and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in riced veggies; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to soften. Season with garlic salt. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
For Pepperoni and Veggie Pizza topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepperoni and cook until both are lightly browned, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes to soften. Stir in olives, if desired. Spoon over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.

CREAMY WEEKNIGHT MACARONI AND CHEESE

Creamy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese image

Just as quick as the boxed variety, this creamy macaroni and cheese skirts the traditional butter and flour roux with assistance from cream cheese. While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories dinner, lunch, quick, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
Kosher salt
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 ounces sharp or white Cheddar, grated
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until just barely al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, bring milk up to a simmer in a large pot. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Reduce heat to low, add cream cheese, and whisk until it's completely blended and no lumps remain. Add Cheddar cheese and butter, whisking until everything is completely melted. Season with salt and a generous amount of pepper.
Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened and is coating each piece of pasta nicely, 2 to 3 minutes; sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Season again with more salt and pepper before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1114, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 95 grams, Fat 63 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 35 grams, Sodium 905 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

Use a large pot to cook the macaroni to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
Don't overcook the macaroni. Cook it until it's al dente, still slightly firm to the bite.
For a creamier mac and cheese, use a combination of milk, cream, and butter.
If you like a cheesy crust on top of your mac and cheese, sprinkle some Parmesan or cheddar cheese over the top before baking.
Feel free to experiment with different add-ins, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, crumbled sausage, or chopped vegetables.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This versatile dish can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion dish, these four recipes have you covered.