Best 8 Macaroni Cheese In 4 Easy Steps Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is an all-time classic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, with endless variations and add-ins. Whether you prefer a simple, cheesy sauce or a more complex one with bacon, vegetables, or different types of cheese, there's a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for everyone.

In this article, we'll provide you with four easy steps to make a delicious macaroni and cheese dish at home. We'll also share three different recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile, so you can choose the one that best suits your taste. The first recipe is a basic macaroni and cheese, perfect for beginners or those who prefer a classic flavor. The second recipe adds bacon and vegetables for a more savory and hearty dish. The third recipe uses three types of cheese for a rich and flavorful macaroni and cheese that's sure to impress your friends and family. So gather your ingredients and let's get started!

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

MACARONI WITH 4 CHEESES!



Macaroni with 4 Cheeses! image

In this episode, chef Emeril does what he does best: comfort food kicked up yet another notch! Chef Emeril revisits a couple of classic comfort food dishes, Emeril-style!

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
4 ounces grated cheddar cheese
4 ounces grated fontina cheese
4 ounces grated gruyere cheese
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon Essence or Creole Seasoning
4 tablespoons butter, plus 2 tablespoons, plus 1 tablespoon
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups half and half
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon Emeril's Red Hot Sauce
8 1/2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, or other good-quality parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)
1 pound elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • In a heavy, medium saucepan melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and whisk in the half and half little by little. Cook until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat, season with the salt, pepper, hot sauce and 4 ounces of the grated parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Cover and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt to taste and, while stirring, add the macaroni. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for about 5 minutes, or until macaroni is very al dente (slightly undercooked). Drain in a colander and return the macaroni to the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the garlic and stir to combine. Add the bechamel sauce and stir until well combined. Set aside.
  • Using the remaining tablespoon of butter, grease a 3-quart baking dish or casserole and set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine 4 ounces of the remaining parmesan cheese, cheddar, fontina and gruyere cheeses. Toss to combine.
  • Place one-third of the macaroni in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with one-third of the mixed cheeses. Top with another third of the macaroni and another third of the cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining macaroni and cheese mixture. In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs, remaining 1/2 ounce of grated parmesan, and the Essence and toss to combine. Sprinkle this over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the macaroni and cheese is bubbly and hot and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.

Provided by g0dluvsugly

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

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

MACARONI CHEESE IN 4 EASY STEPS



Macaroni cheese in 4 easy steps image

A simple step-by-step guide to making a classic supper dish. An old favourite, made with plenty of cheese and a little mustard

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Supper

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

700ml full-fat milk
1 onion, peeled and halved
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 bay leaf
350g macaroni
50g butter, plus a little extra for greasing
50g plain flour
175g mature cheddar cheese, grated
1 tsp English mustard
50g parmesan, grated
50g coarse white breadcrumb

Steps:

  • Prepare the pasta: In a small pan, warm the milk, onion, garlic and bay leaf until almost boiling. Remove from the heat, leave covered to infuse for 10 mins, then strain. Cook the macaroni according to pack instructions until just soft, but still with a little bite (this is called al dente in Italian). This will take about 10 mins. Drain in a colander, then run under the tap and stir to stop the pasta sticking together.
  • Make a roux: (A roux is simply flour and fat, cooked together, then used to thicken sauces.) Heat oven to 190C/ fan 170C/gas 5 and butter a 25 x 18cm ovenproof dish. Melt the butter in the medium pan. When foaming, add the flour, then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 min on a low heat.
  • Finish the sauce: Slowly stir the warm infused milk into the roux until smooth. Simmer for 3-4 mins, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened and has a coating consistency (run your finger through the sauce on a spoon - it should leave a trail). Remove the pan from the heat, then add the cheddar and mustard powder. Season, then stir until the cheese has melted.
  • Assemble and bake: Mix the cheesesauce through the macaroni to coat it well, then tip into the prepared dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan and breadcrumbs over the top, then bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown and bubbling. Serve piping hot on its own or with a green salad.
  • EQUIPMENT: 1 small saucepan with lid, 1 large saucepan, 1 medium saucepan, colander, chopping board, sharp knife, grater, wooden spoon, ovenproof dish

Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 40 grams fat, SaturatedFat 24 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 97 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 36 grams protein, Sodium 1.72 milligram of sodium

MACARONI AND 4 CHEESES



Macaroni and 4 Cheeses image

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Cooking spray
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash
2 cups 1 percent lowfat milk
4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon powdered mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, Jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.
  • Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 395 calorie, Fat 11.5 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 35 milligrams, Sodium 545 milligrams, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Protein 18 grams

FOUR-CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese image

Mascarpone, Brie, cream cheese and Parmesan yield the most velvety macaroni and cheese imaginable. This is perfect for a wintry dinner, with a green salad on the side, or as a partner to a golden roast chicken.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, easy, pastas, main course

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, as needed
Kosher salt, as needed
1 pound pasta, such as farfalle, macaroni or shells
6 ounces Brie, rind removed and cheese cut into chunks
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup mascarpone
3 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated ( 3/4 cup)
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon finely grated nutmeg

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 2-quart gratin dish.
  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente; drain well.
  • Transfer hot pasta to a large bowl and toss immediately with Brie and cream cheese until melted and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, mascarpone and parmigiano. Stir egg mixture into pasta. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
  • Turn pasta into prepared pan. Bake until golden brown and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 600, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Sodium 603 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

EASY CROCK POT MACARONI AND CHEESE



Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese image

From Company's Coming Slow Cooker Recipes. I love to make this when my kids have skating lessons. I can throw it into the crockpot after school and when lessons are over, dinner is waiting. If you are lucky enough to have two crock pots, you can have a glazed ham going in the other one and your dinner is ready to go!

Provided by Pamela

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h10m

Yield 4 cups, 3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced onions
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cups milk
1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese (or your favourite kind of cheese)
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Spray crockpot with non-stick spray for easy cleaning.
  • In a saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients.
  • Pour in milk and stir with a whisk until no lumps remain.
  • Heat and continue stirring until mixture boils and is thickened.
  • Add cheese and then macaroni.
  • Stir until well mixed.
  • Pour into 3 1/2 quart (3. 5L) slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or on high for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 685.7, Fat 28.9, SaturatedFat 17.7, Cholesterol 93.5, Sodium 1250.6, Carbohydrate 73.2, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 2.5, Protein 32.4

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'

Provided by Meredith

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

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package macaroni
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
  • Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

FOUR-CHEESE MACARONI



Four-Cheese Macaroni image

I adapted this recipe from one a friend gave to me. It has a distinctive blue cheese taste and is very filling. I like to serve it with chicken. -Darlene Marturano, W. Suffield, Connecticut

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat to low; stir in cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 603mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 26g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: A good quality cheese will make all the difference in the taste of your macaroni and cheese. Look for a cheese that is sharp and flavorful, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the texture of pasta that is cooked just until it is tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the macaroni from becoming mushy in the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of flour and butter that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming too thin and runny.
  • Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, skim milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
  • Add seasonings: Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary, for extra flavor.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs will add a nice crunch to the macaroni and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs, or you can add some grated Parmesan cheese, herbs, or spices for extra flavor.

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 made with a variety of different cheeses, sauces, and toppings. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious macaroni and cheese that your family and friends will love.

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