Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our baked macaroni and cheese, a classic dish elevated to new heights of cheesy goodness. This delectable casserole combines tender macaroni, a velvety cheese sauce made from a blend of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère, and a crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb topping.
In this comprehensive guide, we present three variations of this beloved dish to cater to every palate. Our classic baked macaroni and cheese is a timeless recipe that showcases the harmonious blend of cheeses and the perfect balance of textures. For those who prefer a spicy kick, our jalapeño baked macaroni and cheese adds a touch of heat with diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. And for seafood lovers, our lobster baked macaroni and cheese incorporates succulent lobster meat for an extra layer of richness and briny flavor.
Each recipe is meticulously explained with step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve cheesy perfection. From boiling the macaroni to preparing the cheese sauce and assembling the casserole, we guide you through the process with precision. Additional tips and tricks are provided to help you troubleshoot any potential challenges and achieve the best results.
Whether you're hosting a family gathering, a potluck dinner, or simply craving a cozy meal on a chilly evening, our baked macaroni and cheese recipes will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling warm and content. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will redefine your perception of this classic dish.
BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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.
RICH 'N' CHEESY MACARONI
This delicious dish puts a new twist on traditional macaroni and cheese. The three different cheese flavors blend wonderfully. Plus, it's easy to prepare-I plan to make it often when husband Ken and I start traveling.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, salt and sugar until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat; stir in American cheese until melted. Stir in cottage cheese and sour cream. Pour over macaroni. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Melt remaining butter and toss with bread crumbs; sprinkle over top. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 508 calories, Fat 31g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 101mg cholesterol, Sodium 1109mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
OH SO RICH BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
A very good and rich version of mac and cheese. The cheeses can be changed out with many others to change the flavor to your preference of cheeses.
Provided by ALH7401
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix melted butter with the breadcrumbs.
- Cook macaroni in 4 quarts salted boiling water, al dente, then drain.
- Dry pot and melt remaining butter over medium heat. Add garlic, mustard, and cayenne pepper. Cook approximately 30 seconds.
- Add flour, cook until golden.
- Slowly add milk and broth, whisking as it is added. Simmer and whisk approximately 6 minutes. Liquid should coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat.
- Whisk in cheese until melted. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked pasta, mix evenly.
- Place mixture in 9x13 pan, cover surface with breadcrumbs. Bake 25-30 minutes. Breadcrumbs will be brown and the edges should be bubbling.
- Cool 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1135.8, Fat 60.4, SaturatedFat 36.4, Cholesterol 166.5, Sodium 1048.7, Carbohydrate 98.4, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 11.8, Protein 49.1
THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER
Super creamy and gloriously cheesy, this classic baked mac and cheese boasts a golden bubbling lid with ooey gooey goodness underneath.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Categories Main Course Side Dish
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
- Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
- Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
- Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 601 mg, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, ServingSize 1 serving
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your macaroni and cheese a more complex flavor. A good combination is cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère.
- Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Make a roux. This will help to thicken the cheese sauce and make it smooth.
- Season the cheese sauce generously. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are all good choices.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers before baking. This will give it a crispy topping.
- Let the macaroni and cheese rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, so you can easily customize it to your liking. Whether you like it cheesy, creamy, or crispy, there's a baked macaroni and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give baked macaroni and cheese a try.
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