Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages, is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit various tastes and preferences. This delectable pasta dish is made with simple ingredients like macaroni noodles, a creamy cheese sauce, and often additional ingredients like bread crumbs, bacon, or vegetables. The combination of tender pasta, rich and flavorful cheese sauce, and optional toppings creates a satisfying and hearty meal. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of macaroni and cheese, exploring different recipes that showcase the diverse ways this dish can be prepared. We'll cover classic macaroni and cheese recipes, variations with unique ingredients, and even healthier alternatives that cater to dietary restrictions. So, whether you're a cheese lover looking for a gooey and indulgent experience or someone seeking a healthier take on this beloved dish, we have something for everyone. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey and discover the secrets to making the ultimate macaroni and cheese.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BAKED HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe was given to me by my friend Katie. It's a longtime favorite in her family.
Provided by Jody
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted. Add the macaroni and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.1 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 133.1 mg, Fat 49.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 28.9 g, Sodium 1011.5 mg, Sugar 9.8 g
GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
My Grandmother's delightful and VERY TASTY recipe for macaroni in cheese, which is FAR better than the kind right out of the box. Our whole family enjoys this recipe, especially the kids. She often has to make twice the recipe to satisfy just my grandpa and uncles!
Provided by Kat11274
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook macaroni until soft.
- Use a large roast-pan or bowl which you would cook casseroles in the oven, and put a thin layer of macaroni upon the bottom, and then spread cheese over that layer, and repeat this layering process until the cheese and macaroni are gone (makes about 3-4 layers each).
- Mix salt, pepper, eggs and milk together.
- Pour into layered macaroni & cheese, until filled at the top (or until it is gone).
- Sprinkle w/ paprika on top.
- Place in oven, Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes (covered).
- Enjoy!
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Basic bechamel is made of milk, thickened with flour and butter; add grated cheese to create Mornay sauce -- the key to creamy, crowd-pleasing mac and cheese. This recipe is adapted from the "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" cookbook.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add pasta; salt generously and cook pasta to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well.
- Melt butter in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until bubbling but not browning, about 45 seconds. Add milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon (scrape across the bottom and around edge of pot to prevent scorching), until thickened and smooth. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add fontina, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, stirring until completely melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper, add cayenne and nutmeg, and stir to combine.
- Add pasta to sauce along with white pepper and salt; stir to thoroughly combine. Serve immediately.
DAD'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is a recipe my dad got from my step mom's sister sometime last year. He made it for Christmas '08, and it was some of the best homemade macaroni I have ever had.
Provided by Ransomed by Fire
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 1 pan, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook macaroni and drain.
- Mix all ingredients except paprika and 2 cups Mexican blend or cheddar cheese in a 2-quart baking dish.
- Top with remaining 2 cups cheese.
- Sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
- Recipe can be halved and cooked in a 9x9 pan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.9, Fat 20.3, SaturatedFat 12.2, Cholesterol 127.6, Sodium 891.1, Carbohydrate 22.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 3.6, Protein 19.6
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Nothing is better than some comforting, homemade macaroni and cheese!
Provided by Derek Crook
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt, and dry mustard and mix well. Return to heat; pour in milk, stirring constantly until mixture is simmering, thick, and smooth. Add white Cheddar cheese and processed cheese; stir occasionally until melted.
- Pour cooked macaroni into a large baking dish, followed by sauce. Stir to combine. Top with bread crumbs. Sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.9 calories, Carbohydrate 61.1 g, Cholesterol 64.4 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 13.3 g, Sodium 828.5 mg, Sugar 8.4 g
YUMMY HOMEMADE BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
I love cheese, it is one of my favorite foods. So naturally, I decided to create a homemade macaroni and cheese.
Provided by tracielroy89
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Boil pasta till al dente, drain.
- Melt butter in sauce pan over low/medium heat, add flour and stir till thick and chunky.
- Add milk and whisk until butter and flour mixture has blended.
- Let cook until milk becomes thick, stirring often.
- Add all cheeses 1/2 cup at a time, whisking until cheese has melted before adding next amount.
- Once all blended and melted add salt and pepper to taste then add garlic.
- Grease an 8x10 casserole dish, pour in pasta and cheese sauce, stir till mixed.
- Break up one sleeve of ritz crackers over the top.
- Bake 20 minutes.
EASY HOMEMADE TASTIN' MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Easy Homemade Tastin' Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Lilladyc
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Prepare macaroni according to package.
- Drain.
- No need to rinse.
- Pour in large mixing bowl.
- Add sauce packet, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of the cheese.
- Pour in casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 375F for about an hour or until nicely browned.
KID FRIENDLY HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I love this recipe. I basically built off of a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe and added a bit of my own to it.
Provided by Shaiya Ookami
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Use medium pot over medium to high heat and add the tablespoon of Oil into the water. Bring the water to a boil.
- Once water is at a full boil add your 4 cups of noodles. Stir a few times so the noodles don't stick.
- Leave noodles cook until done. (depends on which type of noodles you use) Drain them into a strainer and shake the excess water out of the noodles. Put the noodles back into the warm pot.
- Add the milk and butter to the noodles and slowly add the slices of cheese, stirring the entire time. Stir cheese in until creamy and slightly frothy.
- Dish up and serve hot or cold to your liking. Add a slice of French Bread to the side to sop up all the extra cheese.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.1, Fat 18.6, SaturatedFat 9.4, Cholesterol 73.5, Sodium 773.5, Carbohydrate 34.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 4.9, Protein 16.4
EASY HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
The VERY BEST mac 'n cheese recipe I have found. Cheesy and creamy, I like to use the extra sharp cheddar cheese. I have also used this recipe as the base for mac n' cheese casseroles with added meats and veggies for potlucks.
Provided by Tina D. Breen
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
- Mix milk and eggs in large bowl.
- Add butter, red pepper, prepared cheese product and cheddar cheese.
- Stir in macaroni; mix lightly.
- POUR into 1-1/2-quart casserole.
- BAKE 15 minutes or until heated through.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
- Bake for 5 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427, Fat 22.5, SaturatedFat 13.5, Cholesterol 137.2, Sodium 786.9, Carbohydrate 35.8, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 4.2, Protein 19.7
EUNICE'S EASY HOMEMADE MACARONI & CHEESE
This is the easiest and lightest macaroni & cheese I have ever had. Eunice (a friend of my Mom's) made this for us the first time. I couldn't get enough. I think you'll love it, just as we do.
Provided by Cathy Smith
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven at 350. Spray or grease a small baking dish.
- 2. Boil macaroni by box direction. Drain & return to pot. Salt & pepper to taste.
- 3. Mix eggs & milk. Scramble and pour over macaroni. Add 8 oz. cheddar and mix well.
- 4. Pour into prepared dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 45-60 minutes until golden brown.
HOMEMADE MACARONI & CHEESE RECIPE - (4.5/5)
Provided by carvalhohm
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Melt margarine in a saucepan over low heat. Add fl our and stir until smooth; gradually stir in milk. Over medium heat, cook and stir constantly until thickened. Add cheese; reduce heat and cook until smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Combine cheese mixture with macaroni and place in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Serves 8 to 10.
Tips:
- For a creamier macaroni and cheese, use half and half or heavy cream instead of milk.
- To make a cheesier macaroni and cheese, use a combination of different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- For a more flavorful macaroni and cheese, add some cooked bacon, diced ham, or sautéed vegetables.
- To make a crispy macaroni and cheese, top it with bread crumbs and bake it in the oven until golden brown.
- For a healthier macaroni and cheese, use whole wheat macaroni and low-fat cheese.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your own taste preferences. Whether you like it creamy, cheesy, or crispy, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these macaroni and cheese recipes a try.
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