Macaroni and cheese, a classic dish loved by people of all ages, is a delightful combination of tender pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Its comforting flavors and ease of preparation make it a staple in many households. This article presents a collection of macaroni and cheese recipes that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the traditional stovetop method to baked variations, and even a healthier version made with whole wheat pasta and a reduced-fat cheese sauce, there's a recipe here for every macaroni and cheese enthusiast. Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with these delectable recipes that promise a creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying culinary journey.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
There are two schools of thought about macaroni and cheese: Some like it crusty and extra-cheesy (here's our recipe), while others prefer it smooth and creamy. But most people are delighted by any homemade macaroni and cheese. It is light years ahead of the boxed versions. This creamy version has one powerful advantage for the cook: There's no need to preboil the pasta. It cooks in the oven, absorbing the liquid from the dairy products.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories brunch, dinner, easy, lunch, weekday, casseroles, main course, side dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
- In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup grated Cheddar for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated Cheddar, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 427, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 496 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This baked mac and cheese - perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish - is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield Serves 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
- Heat the half-and-half and cayenne in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the butter and a sprinkle of salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
SMOOTH & CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Smooth & Creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by lilkittykt
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, coat an 8 inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray,
- cook the macaroni according to the package directions, omitting the salt; drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt the butter over high heat; add the flour, salt, and pepper,
- slowly whisk in the evaporated milk and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the macaroni and the cheese; mix well,
- then pour into the baking dish,
- bake for 20-22 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
MACARONI AND CHEESE (SMOOTH & CREAMY)
I've been making this delicious, creamy mac and cheese for over 30 years. My family really loves it, especially when they're not feeling well. It's the perfect comfort food, year round. I made many batches to deliver to college dorm rooms and neighbors. I think you'll like it, too. =)
Provided by Family Favorites
Categories Other Main Dishes
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Cook macaroni and drain.
- 2. In large, deep skillet, melt the butter and add salt and pepper. Slowly add flour over low heat stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
- 3. Gradually add milk and stir until smooth. Add cheese and melt slowly.
- 4. Add drained macaroni and serve.
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by JB68711
Categories Cheese
Time 55m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter.
- Stir in flour until smooth.
- Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat; stir in the sour cream, process cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese.
- Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish.
- Add cream sauce and mix well.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 596, Fat 40, SaturatedFat 24.9, Cholesterol 109.3, Sodium 652.6, Carbohydrate 39.4, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 1, Protein 20.1
CREAMIEST MAC AND CHEESE
Boxed or frozen mac and cheese dishes don't even begin to compare to this comforting, from-scratch version that's easy, affordable, and ultra-creamy! Cheddar and cream cheese add a sharp and slightly tangy flavor to the rich sauce which coats perfectly cooked pasta. It's a great base recipe that can be tweaked to your taste by switching up the cheeses or adding some cooked veggies. Serve as a meatless main course with a green salad or as a side dish with roasted or grilled meats.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add macaroni and 2 ½ teaspoons salt and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Shred Cheddar cheese by hand or in a food processor; set aside.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard powder, then 3 ½ cups milk. Whisk occasionally until mixture comes to a simmer, then let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and cook, stirring often, until thick, creamy, and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Stir in 2 cups shredded Cheddar. Turn off the heat and let cheese melt. Stir in cooked macaroni. Add up to ¼ cup milk if you feel like the mixture is too thick.
- Layer ½ of the pasta mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 ½ cups Cheddar. Spread remaining pasta mixture over top and sprinkle with remaining Cheddar.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 504.5 calories, Carbohydrate 41.4 g, Cholesterol 83.2 mg, Fat 28.2 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 17.4 g, Sodium 1157.4 mg
MAKEOVER CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
With its creamy consistency and two different cheeses, this entree captures the essence of comfort food. But here's the kicker: it's been slimmed down for you so you can enjoy it without over indulging. -Darcie Zerniak, Ontario, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat; stir in the sour cream, process cheese, Parmesan, mustard and pepper until smooth. , Drain macaroni; stir in cheddar cheese. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Add cream sauce and mix well. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with chives if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 842mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
Tips:
- Use good quality cheese: This is the most important ingredient in macaroni and cheese, so don't skimp on it. Use a sharp cheddar cheese that has a good flavor.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the sauce. This will give your macaroni and cheese a smooth and creamy texture.
- Use milk and cream: Milk and cream add richness and flavor to the sauce. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even skim milk, but the higher the fat content, the richer the sauce will be.
- Season the sauce: Don't forget to season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian. This means that the macaroni should be cooked until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the sauce.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a nice crunchy texture to macaroni and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make macaroni and cheese that is smooth, creamy, and delicious. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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