Best 6 My Favorite Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our collection of macaroni and cheese recipes! From the classic baked mac and cheese, a dish that embodies warmth and nostalgia, to the innovative and flavorful variations that take this dish to new heights, we have a recipe for every palate and occasion. Whether you prefer a gooey, bubbly casserole or a skillet of creamy delight, our recipes offer a range of textures and flavors that will satisfy your cravings. Discover the perfect mac and cheese recipe for your next family gathering, potluck, or cozy night in.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Categories     Casserole

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni, large shells, or cavatappi pasta
6 tablespoons salted butter
⅓ cup grated yellow onion
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 ounces extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

MOM'S FAVORITE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Mom's Favorite Baked Mac and Cheese image

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

2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into strips

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

FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese image

Creamy and cheesy, this homemade mac and cheese recipe is just the ticket for traditional comfort food, but with lots of mix-in possibilities that help you put a flavor-forward twist on a classic recipe. Check out the Expert Tips section below for suggestions on adding bacon, caramelized onions, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and even lobster.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (7 ounces)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded or cubed Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.
  • While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constanly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
  • Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
  • Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 560 mg

MY FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE



My Favorite Macaroni and Cheese image

My favorite way to eat mac 'n cheese from a box (like Kraft's Macaroni & Cheese). The salsa added, makes it taste sooo good!

Provided by Cindi M Bauer

Categories     Cheese

Time 12m

Yield 3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (7 1/4 ounce) box Kraft macaroni and cheese
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup milk
4 -5 tablespoons salsa (*See note)

Steps:

  • Prepare the mac'n cheese according to package directions. (I have also made this using the 7.25 oz. box of Kraft's Thick & Creamy Macaroni & Cheese, and it tastes just as good, or even better, but you will need to add a 1/2 cup of milk as stated on the box).
  • Just before serving (and while still hot), stir in the salsa.
  • *Note: Whenever I make this recipe adding salsa that's has more heat to it (like my husbands homemade 'hot' salsa), I only add 4 tablespoons to the mac 'n cheese, but if I use a store bought brand that's not so hot, and is a medium-heat tasting salsa, then I'll add 5 tablespoons of the salsa.

CHUCK'S FAVORITE MAC AND CHEESE



Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese image

Easily doubled for a potluck, cottage cheese and sour cream are the unique elements to this macaroni and cheese recipe.

Provided by MRSO

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

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup butter, melted

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 until done; drain.
  • In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.5 g, Cholesterol 87.7 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 26.8 g, SaturatedFat 20.3 g, Sodium 720.2 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese image

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home publication awhile back. I had written it out and stuck it in my 'to try' binder. A few months ago I made it for the first time... it's now my absolute favorite baked macaroni and cheese recipe! (with it tweaked for my own tastes). Enjoy!

Provided by ErikaNY

Categories     Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter (I use margarine) or 1/4 cup margarine (I use margarine)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (I use a squirt of yellow mustard)
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
1/8 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cook elbow macaroni as directed on package.
  • While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in a 3 quart saucepan over low heat.
  • Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in milk.
  • Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
  • Boil and stir for 1 minute.
  • Stir in cheese.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
  • Drain macaroni when done. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce and pour into ungreased 2 quart baking dish.
  • Mix together bread crumbs and parmesan cheese; sprinkle over macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435.3, Fat 24.2, SaturatedFat 15, Cholesterol 72.2, Sodium 597.6, Carbohydrate 36.3, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.3, Protein 18

Tips:

  • Use high-quality cheese. The better the cheese, the better the mac and cheese will be. Use a combination of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère for a rich and flavorful sauce.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it's combined with the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. It helps to prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy.
  • Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. This will help to enhance the flavor of the cheese.
  • Add mix-ins. You can add cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, chopped vegetables, or even lobster to your mac and cheese for a more flavorful dish.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until it's golden brown. This will give it a crispy top and a gooey center.
  • Let the mac and cheese rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the cheese sauce to thicken.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Whether you like it simple or loaded with mix-ins, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these recipes a try.

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