Best 4 The Joy Of Mac And Cheese Recipes
In the realm of comfort food, macaroni and cheese reigns supreme as a culinary delight that warms hearts and satisfies taste buds across generations. Originating in the 14th century and transcending culinary boundaries, this dish has evolved into a global favorite, captivating palates with its creamy, cheesy goodness. Whether you prefer the classic cheddar-based rendition or crave something more adventurous, this article presents a diverse collection of mac and cheese recipes to tantalize your senses and transport you to a cheesy paradise. From the traditional baked mac and cheese to the innovative one-pot rendition, and from the indulgent lobster mac and cheese to the vegan delight, this culinary journey promises to unveil the infinite possibilities that lie within this iconic dish. So, prepare to embark on a cheesy expedition that will leave you craving for more.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
JOAN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Time 55m
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water until just tender. Drain well. Add butter, milk, ricotta, cream cheese, Monterey jack, and 12 ounces of the Gouda to the warm pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix everything together, leaving some chunks of cheese visible. Pour the mixture into 9 by 11-inch baking pan. Top with the remaining 8 ounces of gouda. Bake until beautifully golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot or room temperature.
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.
BAKED MACARONI ALA THE JOY OF COOKING
I've made this for years and the kids still request it... a perennial favorite. When I have left-over ham, I use that too for an especially yummy casserole! NOTE: I've changed the recipe by increasing all amounts to what I actually use to make this dish... not the amounts in the actual cookbook. Servings are an estimate b/c I always plan to have leftovers, which are excellent the next day for lunch!
Provided by Impera_Magna
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 50m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to pkg directions; drain.
- Place half macaroni in 3-4 qt casserole or 9x13" pan; sprinkle w/ half grated cheddar.
- Top with remaining macaroni; sprinkle w/ remaining cheese.
- Mix remaining ingredients in small bowl til well blended; pour over macaroni and cheese.
- Sprinkle w/ stuffing mix (or bread crumbs of your choice); dot w/ butter; sprinkle w/ remaining cheddar.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
STOVE TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
A really good recipe that I tried from the Joy of Cooking 75th Anniversary Cookbook. Great for children who don't like baked mac and cheese!
Provided by Rebecca The Angel
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water for recommended cooking time on box.
- Drain and return to pot and add butter.
- Stir macaroni and butter until well blended.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (evaporated milk through pepper) and stir well.
- Set pot over very low heat and cook macaroni mixture.
- Stir constantly until sauce is smooth and macaroni is steaming, 5-10 minutes. The sauce should thicken, if not, slightly raise the heat and cook another 5 minutes.
- DO NOT OVERHEAT OR SAUCE WILL CURDLE.
- If you have family members who like baked macaroni, you can put this into a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs, and then cook in a 350 degree over for 5-10 minutes. Macaroni will still be creamy, and there will be a nice crunchy topping.
Tips:
- Use high-quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a good, sharp flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. It also adds a rich, nutty flavor to the dish.
- Use milk or cream. Milk or cream helps to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
- Add seasonings. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all classic seasonings for mac and cheese. You can also add other spices, such as paprika, cumin, or cayenne pepper, to taste.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. Macaroni al dente is cooked just until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the cheese sauce.
- Don't overcook the cheese sauce. Overcooked cheese sauce will become thick and rubbery. Cook it just until the cheese is melted and smooth.
- Serve immediately. Mac and cheese is best served hot and fresh out of the oven. It can be reheated, but it will not be as good.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you like it simple or cheesy, gooey or baked, there is a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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