Macaroni and cheese, a delectable dish loved by people of all ages, is a classic comfort food that can be found in kitchens across the globe. It is a versatile dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways, from simple and quick to elaborate and gourmet. Whether you prefer a traditional baked macaroni and cheese with a golden-brown crust, a creamy stovetop version, or a unique variation with added ingredients like bacon, vegetables, or different cheeses, there's a recipe out there to satisfy every palate. In this article, we present a collection of the ultimate macaroni and cheese recipes, each with its own unique twist to tantalize your taste buds. From the classic baked version to creative variations, these recipes are sure to become favorites in your kitchen. So, prepare to indulge in cheesy goodness and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
VELVEETA ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I got this off a box of Velveeta Cheese when I saw it made on Good Morning America. The recipe is exact, i haven't changed it. I usually buy the large block of Velveeta cheese and store any unused cheese in ziploc bags, so I'm forever searching for the recipe. It's easy and fast. My family swears it tastes just like KFC! You can also put the Macaroni and Cheese in a greased casserole dish and make a topping out of 1 sleeve of crushed Ritz Crackers and 1 stick of melted butter. Combine and then sprinkle on top of casserole. Bake in 350 degree oven till top is golden brown.
Provided by ItalianMomof2
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 20m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cook Pasta according to directions on box then drain well.
- Return pasta to pot and add cheese, milk and pepper. Stir constantly over low heat until cheese is melted.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 308.3, Fat 13.3, SaturatedFat 8.5, Cholesterol 46.7, Sodium 848.2, Carbohydrate 32.3, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 5.5, Protein 14.1
THE ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
There is always room for one more mac & cheese recipe. This newly created version with the addition of ricotta cheese puts a whole new spin on this traditional comfort food. Is this recipe too large for your family? Remember, Mac & Cheese is terrific frozen in serving size portions for use later. Created for RSC 16, and was awarded First Place. My thanks to everyone that reviewed the recipe.
Provided by Diana 2
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 1h5m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Saute onions, on low heat, in 1 tbsp of butter until just tender, but not brown. Set aside.
- In a large pot, add 1 tbsp salt to the boiling water, and cook pasta until al denta. Drain, but do not rinse.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.
- In a microwave safe measuring cup, mix the half and half with the milk, and heat for 2 minutes on high, in the microwave. Let sit in the microwave until ready to use. (This step is not crucial, but the sauce will thicken faster when using warmed milk.).
- Preheat oven to 350*. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium sized saucepan, using medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter along with the black pepper. Once bubbling, sprinkle with 1/4 cup of flour. Allow a few moments for the fat to absorb the flour, then stir to combine. Carefully stir the warmed cream/milk into the butter/flour mixture and cook until thickened. This generally takes about 10 minutes on my stove.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the onions, hot chili sauce, ricotta cheese, and the 2 cups of shredded cheddar. Stir until the cheddar has melted. Taste, and add the optional salt if needed. Depending on your taste, you may also opt to increase the amount of hot chili sauce as well.
- Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and gently stir. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix together 1 tbsp melted butter with the corn flake crumbs. Sprinkle over the pasta and top with the 1/4 cup shredded cheddar.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling.
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a saucepan over low heat, add oil then the onions sweat until translucent. (no color) Add the butter. When butter is melted, stir in the flour, stir until smooth. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, heat the milk and wine until it boils. Remove from the heat, stir in the paprika, cheese, season to taste with nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Mix in your cooked macaroni and serve immediately.
ICON'S ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH MOLTEN CHEESE SAUCE
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- For the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce Base: Melt butter in a 4-quart saucepot over medium high heat. Add flour and mix until flour is incorporated into butter. Cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue to cook until sauce is thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and season with mustard, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Allow to cool before using.
- For the Topping: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and set aside
- For the Molten Cheese Sauce: Take about 1/2 cup of the sauce base and warm over a medium burner in a small saucepan. When warm, add cheese and cook until melted. Season as necessary.
- To make the Macaroni and Cheese: Cook macaroni in salted water, drain and rinse with cold water. Place the yellow cheddar, Gruyere, white cheddar, tomatoes, and pasteurized prepared cheese product in a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 of the macaroni and cheese sauce base or about 2 1/2 cups, and mix thoroughly. Place the mix evenly into 4 small casserole dishes or 1 large serving plate. Sprinkle with topping and bake in a preheated 400-degree oven until hot and bubbly. Make sure to serve lots of molten cheese sauce.
ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is just an awesome recipe for macaroni and cheese. It was passed down to me by a friend of my mother's who was elderly at the time she gave it to me. She was in her 80's when she gave it to me and has since passed away. I'm so glad that I was able to get this from her because it's the best recipe for macaroni and cheese...
Provided by Robyn Bruce
Categories Side Casseroles
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Bring large pot of unsalted water to a boil and cook macaroni just until tender. Drain, rinse under cold water. Drain again and set aside. (I use unsalted water because cheese is naturally salty. You can always use a little salt once it is on your plate if it's not salty enough for your taste.)
- 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 3. Bring milk just to a boil in heavy saucepan (remove the second it starts to boil to prevent scalding) and set aside.
- 4. Meanwhile, melt butter in another saucepan and add flour. Whisk over low heat for 5 minutes. Do not brown.
- 5. Remove from heat and add hot milk to flour mixture. Whisk well. Add 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Return pan to heat. Cook over medium heat whisking constantly until thickened - about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
- 6. Remove from heat. Butter a 13 X 9 X 2 baking dish. Fill it evenly with macaroni and sauce.
- 7. Distribute the grated cheeses evenly over macaroni, sprinkle with black pepper and additional paprika.
- 8. Place dish on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, until hot - 20 to 25 minutes. Place under broiler until top is slightly golden and bubbly - 3 or 4 minutes.
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is America's favorite comfort food--tender macaroni, rich and cheesy sauce and a crisp crumb topping.
Provided by McCormick Spice
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips McCormick®
Time 1h
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package for al dente pasta. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
- Melt butter in same saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and seasonings. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until well blended. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook 3 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add macaroni; toss gently to coat. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix panko and paprika; sprinkle evenly over top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.1 calories, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Cholesterol 64.9 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 550 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is a delicious recipe I made this week. It comes from my new cookbook "In the Kitchen With David - COMFORT FOODS that take you HOME... This recipe was divine...kids loved it...the spice mix that goes in this is delicious!!! Try not to lick the bowl after pouring into the casserole...lol! Photo's are mine.
Provided by Cassie *
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- 2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the half-and-half in a large saucepan over medium heat. Just before the mixture starts to boil, remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 3. Whisk the eggs in a bowl, then whisk in 2 cups of the warm half-and-half. (This will keep the eggs from scrambling.) Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan and whisk to combine.
- 4. Stir 1 cup of the Cheddar, all the mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Velveeta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, and the milk into the saucepan. Heat the saucepan on medium-low heat to help melt the cheese.
- 5. Whisk in the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Do not let the mixture boil.
- 6. Toss the cooked pasta and cheese sauce together and then pour into a 4-quart baking dish.
- 7. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Bake for 20 minutes.
- 8. Sprinkle an even layer of crumbled bacon on top and bake for 10 minutes more.
- 9. Enjoy!!
Tips:
- Use a quality cheese blend: A good combination of cheeses is essential for a flavorful mac and cheese. Use a mix of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses for the best results.
- Cook the macaroni until it's al dente: Don't overcook the macaroni, or it will become mushy. Cook it until it's just tender, but still has a little bite to it.
- 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 and cream: Milk and cream add richness and creaminess to the cheese sauce. You can use whole milk or skim milk, depending on your preference. If you want a really decadent mac and cheese, use heavy cream.
- Season the cheese sauce: Don't forget to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder, to taste.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A layer of breadcrumbs on top of the mac and cheese adds a crispy, golden-brown crust. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs, depending on your preference.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the mac and cheese until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
Conclusion:
This ultimate macaroni and cheese recipe is a surefire hit with everyone who tries it. It's easy to make, customizable to your liking, and always delicious. There are many recipes in the article, but this one is the simplest. The tips above will help you make the best mac and cheese possible. So next time you're craving a comforting and cheesy meal, give this recipe a try.
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