Best 5 Stephs Mac N Cheese Recipes

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**Macaroni and cheese**, also known as mac and cheese, is a classic comfort food dish made with macaroni pasta, a cheese sauce, and often other ingredients such as bread crumbs, bacon, or vegetables. It is a popular dish in many countries and is often served as a main course or side dish. There are many different variations of mac and cheese, but the basic recipe typically involves boiling the macaroni, making a cheese sauce, and then combining the two. The cheese sauce is usually made with butter, flour, milk, and cheese, and it can be seasoned with various herbs and spices. Mac and cheese can be baked in the oven, cooked on the stovetop, or even made in a slow cooker. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

This article includes several different recipes for mac and cheese, each with its own unique flavor and ingredients. The first recipe is for a classic mac and cheese made with cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and milk. The second recipe is for a more decadent mac and cheese made with Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, as well as heavy cream and white wine. The third recipe is for a vegetarian mac and cheese made with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, and a creamy sauce made with almond milk. The fourth recipe is for a spicy mac and cheese made with jalapeños, pepper Jack cheese, and a smoky chipotle sauce. Finally, the fifth recipe is for a kid-friendly mac and cheese made with mild cheddar cheese, whole wheat pasta, and a creamy sauce made with evaporated milk.

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

LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE



Lobster mac & cheese image

Using lobster and crab makes this macaroni cheese really special - perfect for an indulgent weekend meal. Top with garlic breadcrumbs for a crispy finish

Provided by Elena Silcock

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Supper

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 frozen lobster (around 500g), defrosted
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion , roughly chopped
big pinch cayenne pepper
1 tbsp tomato purée
1l milk
400g macaroni
50g butter
150ml white wine
50g plain flour
150g tub brown crab meat (or fifty-fifty white and brown)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
160g extra mature cheddar , grated, plus extra to top
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
50g breadcrumbs
1 lemon , zested

Steps:

  • Take the lobster and twist the claws off, then use a rolling pin to crack the claws and pick the meat out. Peel the tail, exposing and removing the fleshy meat. Roughly chop all of the meat, then cover and set aside in a bowl in the fridge. Bash all the pieces of shell with the rolling pin to break them up a bit.
  • Heat the oil in large frying pan over a high heat, add the onion and a large pinch of salt and cook for around five minutes until softened and well coloured, then add the lobster shell and fry for a couple of minutes more. Add the cayenne pepper and tomato purée and stir to coat everything, the turn the heat down to medium and add the milk. Stir well, then remove from the heat when it is just coming to a simmer and set aside for 30 mins to infuse. Meanwhile, mix the garlic, olive oil and lemon zest together with some seasoning to make the breadcrumb topping, then set aside. Strain the milk mixture into a jug and discard the shell.
  • Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Boil the macaroni in salted water until it has a slight bite (around two minutes less than on the packet instructions), drain and set aside. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat until foaming, then add the wine and cook for 5 minutes until the wine has reduced by half, then whisk in the flour to make a sandy paste. Turn down the heat and pour the strained milk into the pan a little at a time, whisking constantly and allowing each addition of milk to be fully absorbed before adding any more.
  • Add the chopped lobster meat, mustard, crab and cheese. Stir well until the cheese has melted, then season to taste. Tip in the macaroni and stir to coat everything in the sauce. Tip into an ovenproof baking dish (or six small ones) and top with a sprinkling of grated cheese and the garlic breadcrumbs. Bake for 20 mins until golden and bubbling, then allow to cool a little before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 731 calories, Fat 32 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 71 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 12 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 34 grams protein, Sodium 1.5 milligram of sodium

WILSON'S OWN MAC N' CHEESE



Wilson's Own Mac n' Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 quarts water
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter, melted
Freshly ground black pepper
16 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar
Dust with paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Bring water, salt, and oil to boil over high heat Add pasta, bring back to a boil and cook until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • In a large bowl, mix together eggs, evaporated milk, melted butter and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese and add the pasta. Spray an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and add the pasta mixture. Top with remaining cheese and dust with paprika.
  • Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.

TOMATO MAC 'N' CHEESE



Tomato Mac 'n' Cheese image

White cheddar cheese and tomatoes add a new dimension to macaroni and cheese.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 pound white cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the cheese, salt, mustard and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Drain pasta; stir into cheese sauce. Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in tomatoes just until combined.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 655 calories, Fat 36g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 111mg cholesterol, Sodium 789mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE



World's Best Mac and Cheese image

It's a bold claim, but this mac and cheese from Kurt Beecher Dammeier's "Pure Flavor" cookbook is that good. Three types of cheese-cheddar, Gruyere, and Jack-add plenty of richness, while a touch of chipotle-chile powder imbues the dish with a subtle smoky flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Unsalted butter, room temperature, or vegetable oil, for baking dish
6 ounces short pasta, such as fusilli or penne
2 cups Beecher's Flagship Cheese Sauce
1 ounce cheddar cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 ounce Gruyere cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle-chile powder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again.
  • Stir together pasta and cheese sauce until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned in places, about 20 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.

CRAB MAC 'N' CHEESE BAKE



Crab mac 'n' cheese bake image

A seafood twist on a family favourite that's packed with sustainable shellfish. Serve with a lemony rocket salad

Provided by Tim Bouget

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 13

100g butter , plus extra for greasing
500g macaroni
100g flour
1l milk
200g mature cheddar , grated
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce
150g fresh, brown crabmeat
150g white crabmeat
100g crème fraîche
juice ½ lemon
½ small pack dill , finely chopped

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and grease a medium baking dish. Cook the macaroni following pack instructions.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a thick-bottomed pan and add the flour to make a thick paste, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. Add the milk, little by little, to the paste, mixing until smooth. Cook over a medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
  • Remove from the heat, add 150g cheese and whisk until smooth. Mix in the mustard, ketchup and cayenne. Drain the macaroni and return to the pan. Stir the cheese sauce into the cooked pasta, fold in the brown crabmeat and season.
  • Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 50g cheese on top and bake in the oven for 25-30 mins until heated through. Remove from the oven and stand for 10 mins.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the crab topping with some seasoning. Serve a big spoonful on top of each portion of the bake, then scatter over the dressed rocket (see 'Goes well with'). If making ahead, cool completely and leave in the fridge overnight. The next day, cut into slabs and reheat (covered in foil) for 10 mins in the oven at 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 623 calories, Fat 29 grams fat, SaturatedFat 17 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 61 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 28 grams protein, Sodium 1.4 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make a roux with butter and flour to thicken the sauce. This will help to prevent the cheese from curdling.
  • Use a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor. Cheddar and Parmesan are a classic combination, but you can also try Gruyère, Fontina, or Asiago.
  • Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and mustard powder to taste.
  • Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips for a crispy topping.
  • Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed 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 your macaroni and cheese simple or cheesy, baked or fried, there is a recipe out there that is sure to please you. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give macaroni and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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