Best 7 Great Mac And Cheese Recipes
**Mac and cheese**, a beloved dish enjoyed by people of all ages, is a culinary symphony of creamy cheese, tender pasta, and a golden-brown crust. This versatile dish has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide, inspiring countless variations and interpretations. From classic stovetop macaroni and cheese to baked versions with crispy breadcrumb toppings, each recipe promises a unique and delectable experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we present a collection of the greatest mac and cheese recipes, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore a variety of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques. Whether you're a traditionalist seeking comforting classics or an adventurer craving bold and innovative twists, our recipes will surely satisfy your cravings.
From the velvety smooth **classic stovetop mac and cheese** to the irresistibly crunchy **baked version with a breadcrumb crust**, each recipe is meticulously crafted to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience. Discover the secrets of achieving the perfect cheese sauce, the ideal pasta cooking time, and the art of creating a golden-brown crust that adds an extra layer of flavor and texture.
For those seeking a healthier alternative, we offer a **lightened-up mac and cheese** recipe that utilizes whole-wheat pasta, low-fat milk, and reduced-fat cheese. This guilt-free version delivers all the cheesy goodness without compromising on taste.
For those with a sweet tooth, our **dessert mac and cheese** recipe is a delightful surprise. This unique dish combines the classic flavors of mac and cheese with the comforting sweetness of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Prepare to be amazed as this unexpected combination creates a harmonious balance of sweet and savory notes.
Additionally, we've included a recipe for **mac and cheese bites**, perfect for parties and gatherings. These bite-sized treats are filled with cheesy goodness and coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust. They're not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them a hit at any event.
No matter your preference, our collection of mac and cheese recipes is sure to satisfy your cravings. Indulge in the classic comfort of traditional mac and cheese, explore lighter and healthier options, surprise your taste buds with a sweet and savory dessert mac and cheese, or delight your guests with bite-sized cheesy treats. With our detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create mac and cheese dishes that will become family favorites and impress even the most discerning palates.
BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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.
GREAT MAC AND CHEESE
Kids love it; easy to make. Also good if you add a cup of cubed cooked ham!
Provided by George Couch
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and salt and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes more.
- Add milk and macaroni to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in cheese, and stir until cheese melts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.9 g, Cholesterol 59.8 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 12.5 g, Sodium 669.6 mg, Sugar 7.5 g
HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE
This is a nice rich mac and cheese. Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner. Hope you enjoy it.
Provided by Judy
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
- Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 858.2 calories, Carbohydrate 66.7 g, Cholesterol 141.6 mg, Fat 48.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 29.9 g, Sodium 879.3 mg, Sugar 10.7 g
"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE
We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!
Provided by Sageca
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
- Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
- The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
- Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
- When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
- Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
- Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
- Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
- Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.
THE GREAT AMERICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe comes from the Pasta & Co. cookbook and is a favorite of mine. So delicious. They say not to substitute a smooth tube dried pasta but to always use rigatoni for the best results. It is not a fiery dish, even though it calls for Tabasco and chili powder. These only work to enhance the cheddar flavor.
Provided by Jennifer Rosholt
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine grated Cheddar and mozzarella and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until near boiling. Turn off heat. Melt butter in a heavy pan large enough to hold the pasta after it is cooked. (It will take at least a 14-inch saute pan or a large casserole that can take direct heat.) When foam from butter recedes, remove from heat, add flour, and mix well. Return to medium-low heat, and, stirring occasionally, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to cook, but not brown, the flour. Gradually stir in hot milk. Raise heat to medium-high and continue stirring until mixture is smooth and thick (about 5 minutes). Add Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Whisk until smooth. Add Tabasco and white pepper and blend.
- Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water about 4 minutes. (It will be underdone, but will finish cooking later.) Thoroughly drain rigatoni and fold it into the cheese mixture.
- If cooking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Layer one-half the rigatoni mixture into a 9x13 pan. Top with one-half of the Cheddar and mozzarella. Repeat layers. Top with chili powder, sprinkled evenly over top.
- If not baking immediately, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze. When ready to bake, drizzle the 3/4 cup milk over the dish. Bake for approximately one hour. If frozen, add at least 20 minutes to baking time. The dish should be rusty brown on top. Should it appear to be browning too fast, cover with foil for part of cooking time. Be sure to check for doneness in the very center of the dish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 864.5, Fat 52.1, SaturatedFat 31.4, Cholesterol 208, Sodium 970.8, Carbohydrate 54.6, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 2.1, Protein 44.2
SIMPLY, A GREAT MACARONI AND CHEESE
While perusing an article in the Charlotte Observer that asked readers to submit their favorite macaroni/cheese recipes, noticed one that was just too simple to be any good. Well, the wife and I could not stop eating it! This might be the easiest of all comfort foods, one to carry us throough the recession. The author topped hers with cooked sausage links, but it is great as a stand alone. Served mine with cornbread, slaw and crowder peas.
Provided by ebbtide
Categories Cheese
Time 55m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pre heat oven at 400 degrees.
- In the oven, in a large casserole dish, melt the butter.
- Remove, coat the macaroni in the butter, adding salt and pepper.
- Add milk, cheese. Mix.
- Bake 45-50 minutes.
REALLY GREAT MACARONI & CHEESE
I can't remember who puts out that famous red & white checkered cookbook, but this mac & cheese recipe is theirs. This is what my mom made us since we were kids and any mac & cheese that doesn't contain sauteed onions and real cheese is crapola, in my opinion. And although I have a fondness for the traditional elbows, a rotini pasta grabs the sauce much better. Remember NEVER to add oil or butter to the water you boil the pasta in or the sauce will not cling as well. This goes for all pasta. If you love your children you will NEVER feed them any mac & cheese from a box or made with Velveeta, no matter how easy it is to whip up. Show you care, cube some real cheddar and make a white sauce. Use a good pasta, too. I prefer Barilla, but Ronzoni is a close second.
Provided by DeSouter
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and get a large pot of water boiling.
- Cube the cheese.
- Start cooking the pasta while preparing the cheese sauce.
- Saute onion in butter until soft and transparent.
- Add flour, salt and pepper, cooking for one minute.
- Add milk slowly, continuously stirring.
- Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
- Add cheese gradually until all the cheese is melted.
- When pasta is al dente, drain pasta and pour cheese sauce into the pot and stir well.
- Pour into a 13 x 9 (or slightly larger) baking pan that's been sprayed with Pam.
- Bake for 30 (minimum) to 40 minutes.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Freshly grated cheese, real butter, and high-quality pasta will make a big difference in the final dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and ruin the dish.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. Making a roux will help to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
- Use a combination of cheeses: Using a combination of cheeses will give the sauce a more complex flavor. Some good options include cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Fontina.
- Season the sauce to taste: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You may also want to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat.
- Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs: Topping the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs will give it a crispy, golden-brown crust. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Bake the mac and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown: Bake the mac and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Let the mac and cheese rest before serving: Let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and make it easier to serve.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there is sure to be a mac and cheese recipe that everyone will love.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
