Best 6 Tangy Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight with our tantalizing Tangy Macaroni and Cheese recipes. This classic dish gets a tangy twist with the perfect blend of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and a hint of Dijon mustard. Our collection features three irresistible variations to satisfy every palate:

1. **Classic Tangy Macaroni and Cheese**: Experience the timeless flavors of macaroni and cheese, elevated with a tangy kick. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between creamy and sharp, ensuring a satisfying and comforting meal.

2. **Bacon and Jalapeño Tangy Macaroni and Cheese**: For those who crave a bit of spice, this recipe infuses the classic dish with crispy bacon and fire-roasted jalapeños. The smokiness of the bacon and the subtle heat from the jalapeños add an extra layer of complexity to the creamy macaroni and cheese.

3. **Roasted Tomato and Spinach Tangy Macaroni and Cheese**: This vibrant recipe combines the freshness of roasted tomatoes and sautéed spinach with the richness of macaroni and cheese. The burst of flavors and textures in each bite makes this dish a delightful and healthy choice.

Whether you prefer the classic simplicity, the spicy kick, or the vibrant veggie-packed option, our Tangy Macaroni and Cheese recipes are sure to become your new favorite comfort food. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

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.

EXTRA SHARP MACARONI AND CHEESE



Extra sharp macaroni and cheese image

We love creamy, tangy macaroni and cheese, so I was on a quest to create the perfect recipe. After experimenting with several different sauces, this one has fit the bill for us! Cooper sharp, extra sharp cheddar and my secret ingredient, sour cream, gives this mac and cheese the perfect tang we've been looking for!

Provided by Kialono .....

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

16 oz box macaroni, elbow
4 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
pinch nutmeg, fresh
1 lb cooper sharp cheese (at deli)
4 c extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 c sour cream, don't use lite
4 c whole milk, don't use skim

Steps:

  • 1. Prepare macaroni according to package, cooking about 1 minute less than it calls for. Drain and place in a 13 x 9 baking dish which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  • 2. In a heavy, large sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt and pepper (about a pinch each) and let it sit for about 90 seconds so the flour cooks. Stir with a whisk until the flour is smooth, about 1 minute. Add the milk, slowly at first, to incorporate, whisking quickly. Add the sour cream (it will look lumpy). Whisk frequently until it just about boils, being careful not to let it boil. Add the cheeses, starting with the cooper sharp, a few slices at a time and whisk until incorporated. Add 2 cups of grated cheddar and the tiniest pinch of fresh, grated nutmeg. Don't boil, just whisk until the cheeses are melted and the sauce becomes smooth.
  • 3. Pour the sauce over the macaroni (I use all of it because we like it very creamy. If you like a custard-y consistency, leave a little sauce out). Stir the sauce until the macaroni is covered. Top with the remaining 2 cups of grated cheddar. Do not cover. Cook in a 350 degree preheated oven for 45 minutes until it's bubbling. ENJOY!

TANGY BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



Tangy Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

A recipe in my tried and enjoyed file- I wish I could remember where exactly I have gotten it originally.

Provided by Misa3446

Categories     Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (8 ounce) box macaroni
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash hot sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups colby cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
paprika (optional)

Steps:

  • Prep work: Preheat your oven to 350°F Grease a 2 quart baking dish. Toss together the colby and mozzarella. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture for the topping.
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Boil the macaroni until al dente, according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, heat up the milk - do not let it boil. Whisk in the dry mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and hot sauce. Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the butter and cheeses (except for the reserved) to the drained macaroni. Put the macaroni into the greased baking dish. Pour the hot milk mixture over the macaroni. Top with the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, and then place under the broiler 1-2 minutes to lightly brown the top.

SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spicy Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente
8 ounces Cheddar, 1/2 cubed, 1/2 shredded
8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup finely grated onions
4 slices bread
1 tablespoon butter
Special equipment: 2-quart baking dish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg. Add the sour cream, egg, heavy cream, half-and-half and onions. Pour over the pasta and cover with the shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until the top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-size squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the bread cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

TANGY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Tangy Macaroni and Cheese image

The gruyere makes this worthy of a Sunday Dinner. I usually have nothing left over for myself the next day. This recipe came from Martha Stewart website. Note: I've made it with hot and cold milk and couldn't taste the any difference with the hot milk so that step can be skipped. I cook everything (besides the pasta) in a medium saucepan. I also use Cellentani pasta for a more special "look".

Provided by ltKategt

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 tablespoons butter
6 slices good white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4 to 1/2 pieces
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
4 1/2 cups grated white cheddar cheese (about 18 oz)
2 cups grated gruyere cheese (about 8 oz.) or 1 1/4 cups grated pecorino romano cheese (about 5 oz)
1 lb elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Heat over to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 qt casserole dish and set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbls butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread and toss. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tbls butter in a high sided skillet over medium heat. when butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking 1 minute.
  • While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking until the mixtures bubbles and becomes thick.
  • Remove pan from heat. Stir in the salt, nutmeg, black and cayenne pepper, 2 cupes cheddar and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino cheese. Set sauce aside.
  • Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaronil cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of the pasta is cooked an dthe inside in underdone. Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions. Transfer macaroni to a colander and rinse under cold water. drain well. Stir macaroni into reserved cheese sauce.
  • Pour macaroni into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 Pecorino, and breadcrumbs on top. Bake until browned on top - about 30 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 607, Fat 35.1, SaturatedFat 21.5, Cholesterol 107.8, Sodium 952, Carbohydrate 44.6, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.6, Protein 27.9

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

This recipe, inspired by Stouffer's macaroni and cheese, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that's slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don't soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness.

Provided by Eric Kim

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5 1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
  • To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Use a flavorful cheese blend. A combination of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack cheeses provides a rich and tangy flavor.
  • Cook the macaroni to al dente. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it's baked.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. Be sure to cook the roux until it is golden brown for a richer flavor.
  • Add milk and seasonings. Gradually whisk in milk until the cheese sauce reaches the desired consistency. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Stir in the macaroni. Once the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, stir in the cooked macaroni.
  • Top with breadcrumbs and bake. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake in a preheated oven until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
  • Let it cool slightly before serving. This will allow the cheese sauce to set and the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

Tangy macaroni and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich and flavorful cheese sauce, cheesy topping, and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give this tangy macaroni and cheese a try!

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