Best 4 Homemade Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food, is a delightful dish enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit different tastes and preferences. This recipe article offers a collection of homemade mac and cheese recipes that are sure to satisfy every cheese lover. From the classic stovetop macaroni and cheese to the baked version with a golden-brown crust, there's a recipe here for every occasion. Additionally, there are variations such as the creamy Cajun macaroni and cheese, the hearty smoked sausage mac and cheese, and the unique lobster mac and cheese that add exciting flavors and textures to this classic dish. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish for a holiday gathering, these homemade mac and cheese recipes are sure to impress.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Homemade Mac and Cheese image

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

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

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

MARIE'S HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Marie's Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is my mother's family recipe. I believe it is an Icelandic recipe. Kids and husbands love it!

Provided by LEATHERNLACE_93277

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

Time 1h20m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 pounds uncooked elbow macaroni
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed Cheddar cheese soup
4 eggs, beaten
2 ¾ cups milk
2 pounds Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a 9x13 inch baking dish combine soup, eggs, milk, half of the cheese, cooked macaroni, salt and pepper. Mix well and then top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover and bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until top is lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537.1 calories, Carbohydrate 49.6 g, Cholesterol 118.1 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 26.9 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 668.7 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole image

Whole wheat pasta and lots of fresh broccoli add a little wholesomeness to this classically indulgent comfort food.

Provided by Reynolds Kitchens

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Reynolds®

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

Reynolds Wrap® Pan Lining Paper
8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
3 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 ½ cups milk
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed and softened
½ cup fine dry Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 2-quart casserole dish with Reynolds Wrap® Pan Lining Paper, parchment side up. No need to grease dish.
  • Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to the package directions, adding the broccoli for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain. Return to the saucepan and set aside.
  • Cook the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons hot butter in a large skillet 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the pasta and broccoli and stir until well combined.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and mix with the bread crumbs in a small bowl. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the buttery bread crumbs.
  • Bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until bubbly and internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.2 g, Cholesterol 59.1 mg, Fat 20.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 16.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 483.3 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese image

To make this rich mac and cheese recipe healthier we use whole wheat bread crumbs, low-fat milk and cheese, whole wheat noodles, and reduced the amount of butter. Serve with a salad for a healthy meatless dinner.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Noodle Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat macaroni (such as Smart Taste®)
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770.4 calories, Carbohydrate 106.6 g, Cholesterol 60.3 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 10.6 g, Protein 42.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 750.2 mg, Sugar 9.6 g

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. A good cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other types of cheese, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or Fontina.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the texture of pasta that is cooked through but still has a slight bite to it. This is the perfect texture for mac and cheese, as it will hold up well to the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and butter that is used to thicken sauces. It helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
  • Use milk or cream. Milk or cream is used to thin out the cheese sauce and make it more pourable. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want your mac and cheese to be.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all classic seasonings for mac and cheese. You can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, smoked paprika, or chili powder, to taste.
  • Add mix-ins. Once you have a basic mac and cheese sauce, you can add all sorts of mix-ins to make it even more delicious. Some popular mix-ins include cooked bacon, ham, chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, and peas.
  • Top with cheese. Before baking the mac and cheese, top it with a layer of shredded cheese. This will give it a golden brown crust and make it even more cheesy.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mac and cheese you've ever had.

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