Best 5 Janes Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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**Decadent Baked Macaroni and Cheese: A Culinary Journey Through Comfort and Indulgence**

In a culinary world brimming with delectable creations, few dishes can rival the comforting allure of baked macaroni and cheese. This classic casserole, with its golden crust, creamy center, and symphony of flavors, has captured the hearts and taste buds of generations. Jane's Baked Macaroni and Cheese, featured in this article, elevates this beloved dish to new heights of indulgence, combining the finest ingredients and culinary techniques to create an unforgettable dining experience. From the traditional to the innovative, this collection of recipes offers a tantalizing exploration of baked macaroni and cheese, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of flavor and texture.

**1. Jane's Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese:**

This timeless recipe forms the foundation of the baked macaroni and cheese experience, showcasing the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy goodness. With a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan, this dish delivers a symphony of flavors that will transport you to culinary heaven.

**2. Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese:**

For those seeking an over-the-top indulgence, the Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese is a masterpiece of culinary extravagance. Lobster, crab, and shrimp join forces with a trio of cheeses – cheddar, Gruyère, and fontina – to create a seafood extravaganza that will leave you craving more.

**3. Spinach and Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese:**

This recipe adds a delightful twist to the classic, incorporating the vibrant flavors of spinach and artichoke hearts. A creamy béchamel sauce envelops the macaroni, while a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese adds a golden-brown crust.

**4. Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese:**

For those with a taste for adventure, the Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese is a culinary journey to the American Southwest. Roasted corn, black beans, and a medley of spices infuse this dish with a vibrant and savory flavor profile.

**5. Bacon and Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese:**

This recipe combines the smoky richness of bacon with the spicy kick of jalapeños for a flavor combination that is both satisfying and addictive. A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses provides a smooth and creamy base for this indulgent dish.

**6. Truffle Macaroni and Cheese:**

For a touch of luxury, the Truffle Macaroni and Cheese elevates this classic dish to gourmet status. Black truffles infuse the béchamel sauce with an earthy, aromatic flavor, while a generous helping of Parmesan cheese adds a touch of decadence.

**7. Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese:**

This recipe adds a touch of sweetness and autumnal charm to the classic dish. Butternut squash, roasted until tender and caramelized, is folded into a creamy sauce made with a blend of cheddar and Gruyère cheeses.

**8. Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese:**

For a healthier take on this beloved comfort food, the Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese offers a delicious and nutritious alternative. Cauliflower florets replace the traditional macaroni, while a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses provides a creamy and flavorful sauce.

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

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for the dish
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni with ridges
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups milk
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
  • For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
  • For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.

HORN & HARDART'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Horn & Hardart's Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Glenn Collins

Categories     appetizer, side dish

Time 1h

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 pound elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash white pepper
Dash red pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons light cream
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup canned tomatoes, diced
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to directions on the package. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Melt butter in the top of a double boiler. Blend flour, salt and white and red pepper in gradually. When smooth, add milk and cream, stirring constantly. Cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
  • Add cheese and continue to heat until it melts and the sauce looks smooth. Remove from heat. Add cooked macaroni to the sauce. Add sugar to the tomatoes and add to the sauce.
  • Pour mixture into a buttered baking dish and bake until the surface browns.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 354, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 30 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 452 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 1 gram

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Baked Mac and Cheese image

Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. -Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup butter, divided
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4-1/2 cups 2% milk
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain., In a Dutch oven, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat; saute onion until tender. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., In a microwave, melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 689 calories, Fat 37g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 834mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.

BAKED HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

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

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup butter, melted
1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed

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

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     dinner, lunch, casseroles, pastas, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces sharp or white Cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces fontina or Gruyère, grated
1 cup coarse bread crumbs or panko
4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
  • Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
  • Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1076, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 31 grams, Sodium 1027 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the final flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Look for fresh, sharp cheddar cheese, creamy milk, and flavorful butter.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni: It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked macaroni will become mushy and lose its shape.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the macaroni and cheese sauce. It helps to create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Use a combination of cheeses: This will give your macaroni and cheese a more complex flavor. Try using a sharp cheddar cheese, a mild cheddar cheese, and a Parmesan cheese.
  • Season the macaroni and cheese to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
  • Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly: This will ensure that it is cooked through and has a delicious crust.
  • Let the macaroni and cheese cool slightly before serving: This will help it to set and make it easier to serve.

Conclusion:

Jane's baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but it can be customized to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious macaroni and cheese that will be the star of your next meal.

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