Best 3 Flavorful Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable macaroni and cheese recipes, a classic dish elevated to new heights of flavor and indulgence. From the comforting flavors of the traditional macaroni and cheese to innovative variations featuring unique ingredients and cooking techniques, our collection offers a symphony of taste experiences. Whether you prefer a gooey, cheese-pulling delight or a crispy, golden-brown crust, our recipes will guide you to macaroni and cheese perfection. Embark on this cheesy adventure and discover the perfect recipe to satisfy your cravings and tantalize your taste buds. From the classic stovetop version to baked mac and cheese goodness, and even a one-pot option for convenience, our recipes cater to every preference and skill level. Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game and create a dish that will leave you and your loved ones craving more.

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

CREAMY HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese image

This baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by children and adults.

Provided by The Chunky Chef

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb. dried elbow pasta
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 1/2 cups half and half
4 cups shredded medium sharp cheddar cheese (divided (measured after shredding))
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (divided (measured after shredding))
1/2 Tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 3 qt baking dish (9x13"). Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking.
  • While water is coming up to a boil, shred cheeses and toss together to mix, then divide into three piles. Approximately 3 cups for the sauce, 1 1/2 cups for the inner layer, and 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over MED heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Mixture will look like very wet sand. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in about 2 cups or so of the milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until smooth. Slowly pour in the remaining milk/half and half, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
  • Continue to heat over MED heat, whisking very often, until thickened to a very thick consistency. It should almost be the consistency of a semi thinned out condensed soup.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture.
  • Sprinkle the top with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 665 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 41 g, SaturatedFat 25 g, Cholesterol 126 mg, Sodium 700 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Categories     Casserole

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni, large shells, or cavatappi pasta
6 tablespoons salted butter
⅓ cup grated yellow onion
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 ounces extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

FLAVORFUL MACARONI AND CHEESE



Flavorful Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Flavorful Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Marklook out hes co

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups macaroni, but you can use other pastas (elbows seem to be best)
1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
16 ounces bricks extra-sharp cheddar cheese
32 Ritz crackers (1 sleeve) or 1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • Shred cheese(keep some cheese aside to place on the top) and combine in sauce pan with cream of mushroom soup andmilk. Bring to a soft boil till cheese is melted.
  • Remove from heat stir in bread crumbs.If you use crackers crush them in a sandwich bag till finely crushed.
  • Boil macaroni (still a little firm); drain.
  • Pour about 1/2 into a casserole dish and stir in cheese mixture; stir in the rest of the macaroni till mixed in with cheese sauce.
  • Place some cheese on the top. A thin layer works well.
  • Pour a small amount of milk (1/4 cup or so) over the top of the cheese. Cover dish and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes then remove cover. If you like crispy edges and bake 10 to 15 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 438.5, Fat 25.3, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 63.8, Sodium 696.4, Carbohydrate 32.4, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 2.3, Protein 20

Tips:

  • Use a quality cheese blend. A good mac and cheese starts with a good cheese blend. Use a combination of cheeses that melt well and have a variety of flavors. Some good options include cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, and fontina.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. Al dente pasta is pasta that is cooked through but still has a slight bite to it. This will help prevent the pasta from becoming mushy when you bake it.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will help prevent the cheese sauce from becoming too thin and runny.
  • Use milk or cream. Milk or cream is used to thin out the cheese sauce and make it creamy. You can use whole milk, 2%, or even skim milk. If you want a richer cheese sauce, you can use heavy cream.
  • Add some extras. Once you have the basic mac and cheese recipe down, you can start experimenting with different add-ins. Some popular options include cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, diced tomatoes, and chopped broccoli.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. With its creamy cheese sauce and tender pasta, it's the perfect dish for a family meal or a potluck. If you're looking for a new mac and cheese recipe to try, be sure to check out the ones in this article. You won't be disappointed!

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