Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food dish enjoyed by people of all ages. This versatile dish can be made with a variety of ingredients, from simple to complex, and can be tailored to suit any taste. From the classic stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe to the more adventurous baked macaroni and cheese with bacon and jalapeños, there's a recipe here for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion side dish, you're sure to find the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe in this collection. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in a cheesy, gooey, and delicious macaroni and cheese feast!
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
THE BEST HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
The BEST Homemade Mac and Cheese of your LIFE. Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I used three different cheese and a homemade cheese sauce to take this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top.
Provided by Trish - Mom On Timeout
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside.Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl.
- Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.
- Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot.
- Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes. Whisk in salt and pepper.
- Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick.
- Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
- Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 642 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 41 g, SaturatedFat 24 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 550 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
This is a macaroni and cheese I first made 3 years ago when I was in California. When I got back to Texas I made it for my mom. This is now her favorite baked macaroni and cheese. She begs me to make it when I come to visit.
Provided by GEPETTO_69
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 100.1 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 1194 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy macaroni and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. -Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina (originally from Taste of Home)
Provided by Barenakedchef
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- •Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni.
- • Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.4, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 9, Cholesterol 40, Sodium 417.8, Carbohydrate 27.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.9, Protein 8.1
MOM'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Quick and easy -- macaroni, cheese soup, milk and Colby cheese!
Provided by Courtnay
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Place macaroni in a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir in cheese soup and milk until well combined. Sprinkle with shredded Colby.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 673.9 calories, Carbohydrate 65.5 g, Cholesterol 86.6 mg, Fat 30.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 32.3 g, SaturatedFat 18.7 g, Sodium 849.1 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
MARK'S MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and then stir in flour; cook for 1 minute or until lightly golden. Slowly add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until thickened, and then stir in the 3 cheeses until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add cooked macaroni and stir to coat evenly. Transfer to a shallow baking dish. Bake for about 45 minutes, until brown and crisp on top.
- Remove from oven and preheat the broiler. Sprinkle Parmesan and bread crumbs over top. Return to the oven and broil until cheese is bubbly.
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Tender pasta is smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a down-home casserole that always satisfies.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 40m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package using minimum cook time.
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion, salt and pepper in butter, stirring occasionally, until onion is crisp-tender.
- In small bowl, mix flour and milk until smooth; stir into onion mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Into ungreased 1 1/2-quart casserole, spoon macaroni mixture.
- Bake about 30 minutes or until bubbly and light brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 410, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1030 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1/2 g
MAMA'S BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE
My kids say this is better than 'the blues' and gobble it up, even when I toss in a handful of cooked veggies like broccoli, peas, carrots, etc.... Make it a one dish meal with some tuna, cooked ham, etc... It is just as easy as the 'blue box' at least I think so and it is much healthier!
Provided by Mamas Kitchen Hope
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make a roux by melting butter in pan and adding flour. Stir constantly and cook until it is the color of caramel candy. It burns easily so stir stir stir!
- Slowly and carefully add milk while stirring.
- When milk starts to steam add cheese and seasonings and stir until melted and well combined.
- Pour over cooked macaroni noodles and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276.1, Fat 12.2, SaturatedFat 7.4, Cholesterol 35.6, Sodium 269.8, Carbohydrate 30.3, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.1, Protein 10.9
MY MOTHER'S MAC AND CHEESE
I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. -Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine macaroni, tomatoes, onion salt, pepper and 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Pour into a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 15 minutes longer.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 373 calories, Fat 22g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 759mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
MOM'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is something my mom used to make for me when I was a kid. It is simple, quick, and great for kids and adults alike.
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender; drain.
- Mix cooked macaroni with butter, stirring well.
- While macaroni is cooking, cook ground beef, garlic and onion in a large skillet until beef is browned and cooked through.
- Drain any accumulated fat.
- Add chili powder, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), mixing well.
- Bring meat mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until macaroni is done.
- Mix meat mixture with cooked buttered macaroni (do NOT add any additional milk as package suggests).
- Sprinkle contents of cheese packets into pasta and stir until blended.
- Serve garnished with grated cheddar, if desired.
MOM'S MACARONI & CHEESE
I've been eating this macaroni & cheese since I was a little girl. I'm not sure where my mom got the recipe from, but it is delicious. We usually sprinkle with some parmesan cheese before browning.
Provided by Suzy Q 2
Categories Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt butter, add flour, salt, and pepper, wisk until smooth.
- Add milk slowly, whisking to blend.
- Cook until thick and smooth, add cheese and stir until melted.
- Cook elbow noodles as directed on package.
- Drain and pour into a baking dish.
- Pour cheese sauce over cooked elbows.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- *It's best to use a double boiler or nonstick pan to make your cheese sauce.
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Gruyère for a more subtle flavor.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to give your macaroni and cheese a creamy and smooth texture.
- Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make your macaroni and cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, 2%, or even skim milk, depending on your preference.
- Season to taste: Be sure to season your macaroni and cheese with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add other ingredients like cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or chopped green onions for extra flavor.
- Bake until golden brown: Baking the macaroni and cheese until the top is golden brown will give it a nice crust and help to keep it from drying out.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients and flavors. Whether you like it simple or cheesy, baked or grilled, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these macaroni and cheese recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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