Indulge in a culinary journey with our collection of the world's best mac and cheese recipes. From classic stovetop macaroni to innovative baked dishes, our diverse selection caters to every palate and skill level. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with creamy, cheesy goodness in every bite. Embrace the richness of our traditional mac and cheese recipe, featuring a velvety béchamel sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. Embark on a cheesy adventure with our bacon mac and cheese, where crispy bacon bits elevate the dish to new heights of flavor. Experience the ultimate comfort food with our lobster mac and cheese, where succulent lobster meat and a luscious cheese sauce create a harmonious symphony of flavors.
Challenge your culinary skills with our gourmet mac and cheese recipes. Elevate your taste buds with our truffle mac and cheese, where earthy truffle oil infuses the dish with an air of luxury. Impress your dinner guests with our four-cheese mac and cheese, where a blend of sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, nutty Parmesan, and tangy blue cheese creates a symphony of flavors. Discover the harmonious balance of our butternut squash mac and cheese, where roasted butternut squash adds a touch of sweetness and a vibrant hue.
Our collection also features unique mac and cheese recipes that push the boundaries of taste. Delight in our spicy mac and cheese, where a fiery blend of chili peppers ignites your senses. Embark on a global culinary adventure with our Mexican mac and cheese, where zesty salsa and flavorful taco seasoning add a south-of-the-border twist. Indulge in our smoked mac and cheese, where the smoky aroma of bacon and paprika infuses every bite with a touch of the outdoors.
With our comprehensive guide to the world's best mac and cheese recipes, you'll be equipped to satisfy any craving and impress your loved ones with your culinary prowess. Get ready to embark on a cheesy expedition like no other, where each recipe promises a unique and unforgettable taste experience.
WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE
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
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.
"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE
We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!
Provided by Sageca
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
- Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
- The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
- Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
- When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
- Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
- Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
- Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
- Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.
BEST MAC 'N CHEESE EVER!
This is the best mac 'n cheese ever! I started out by going through the recipes on this site and when I found one I wanted to try, I was putting together the first few ingredients and said, 'Ya know what would be great to add to this...' and that's where the 'Best Mac 'N Cheese Ever' was created. By the time I was done and it was served at our New Year's Day lunch everyone was raving about how delish it was. Try this easy recipe for a down-home Southern taste of the Best Baked Mac 'N Cheese Ever!
Provided by CASS CLARK
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain; pour macaroni into the prepared dish.
- Beat eggs, sour cream, seasoned salt, and black pepper into a smooth mixture; stir Cheddar cheese and Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese into mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour over macaroni and mix well. Top casserole with torn pieces of processed cheese. Drizzle melted butter over casserole, especially along the sides.
- Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 130.2 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 17.2 g, Sodium 551 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
WORLD'S BEST MAC & CHEESE
Make and share this World's Best Mac & Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Jenny Stallworth
Categories Cheese
Time 1h20m
Yield 12-16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Boil macaroni and drain.
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Combine the Velveeta, butter, and one and half cups of the half-and-half in a large bowl.
- Add the warm macaroni, tossing until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the remaining ingredients (keeping 1/2 cup of yellow cheddar aside). Mix well (I suggest using your hands to make sure all ingredients are well combined - my kids love to help with this step also!).
- Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch casserole or baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sharp yellow cheddar cheese and bake until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes more. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 512.5, Fat 32.9, SaturatedFat 19.6, Cholesterol 197.3, Sodium 405.4, Carbohydrate 31.8, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.3, Protein 22.1
WORLD'S BEST MAC & CHEESE
Everyone I make this recipe for swears it is the very best mac & cheese they have ever eaten. Don't let the fact that it looks complicated discourage you. It's actually very quick and easy to make. The only complicated part is getting the ingredients together!
Provided by Gerald Norman
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a large pot of water over high heat and cover. Place a large saute pan with 2 tbsp oil or bacon grease over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add mushrooms to the pan and saute for 7-10 minutes or until fully cooked and slightly caramelized. Toss or stir occasionally. Season with a pinch of Kosher Salt and Black Pepper then deglaze the pan with the Sherry Vinegar. Allow all of the vinegar to cook out, then remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside.
- Now time for the cheese sauce! Add 4 tbsp butter to a medium sauce pan. Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in 4 tbsp all-purpose flour. Whisk for about 30 seconds, just long enough to lose the raw flour taste but not long enough for the flour to caramelize. Add the thyme, rosemary, sage and red pepper flakes. Continue stirring to allow the herbs to saute for about 30 seconds. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking continuously so the roux and milk incorporate smoothly with no lumps. (HINT: Sometimes removing the pot from the heat source while you stir in the milk will help reduce the possibility of lumps forming.) Allow the mixture to come to a low simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- While waiting for the sauce to simmer, start the pasta. Liberally salt the pot of boiling water. The water should taste very salty for best results. Add the pasta to the water and cook for a minute or two less than the suggested time on the pasta package so that the pasta is very firm, because you will be baking it later and you don't want it to get too soft.
- Once your sauce has reached simmer, stir in the chevre, cheddar and half (2 oz) of the parmigiano reggiano cheeses. Add truffle oil and slowly stir until the sauce is smooth, with all cheese melted. Remove from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small mixing bowl combine remaining parmigiano reggiano and panko.
- Remove the pasta from heat and strain immediately making sure it is well drained. Return to empty pot or use a large mixing bowl to toss the pasta, cheese sauce and mushrooms. Place mixture in a deep glass or ceramic loaf pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the Panko/cheese mixture over the top, coating evenly. Bake on upper shelf of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cheese sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy the best mac & cheese you'll ever eat!
BEST EVER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE
This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping
Provided by Jennifer Joyce
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside.
- Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour.
- Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan.
- Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes.
- Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking - defrost thoroughly before cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 42 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 88 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Protein 38 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium
BEST EVER MAC & CHEESE
To make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! -Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pan. Pulse bread, 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until coarsely ground., Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add ground mustard and cayenne; stir until blended. Stir in flour until smooth, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Velveeta. Slowly add remaining cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until cheese is melted. Add Worcestershire and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over pasta; toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top of casserole. Bake until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbly, 10-12 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 762 calories, Fat 43g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 134mg cholesterol, Sodium 1138mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.
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
"WORLD'S BEST" MAC AND CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish.
- Cook the penne 2 minutes less than package directions. (It will finish cooking in the oven.) Rinse the pasta in cold water and set aside.
- Combine the cooked pasta and the sauce in a medium bowl and mix carefully but thoroughly. Scrape the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the cheeses and then the chili powder.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Beecher's Flagship Cheese Sauce
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat.
- Add the cheeses, salt, chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and all ingredients are incorporated, about 3 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- This sauce reheats nicely on the stove in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently so the sauce doesn't scorch.
- Make Ahead
- This recipe can be assembled before baking and frozen for up to 3 months-just be sure to use a freezer-to-oven pan and increase the baking time to 50 minutes.
- notes
- One-half teaspoon of chipotle chili powder makes a spicy mac, so make sure your family and friends can handle it!
- The proportion of pasta to cheese sauce is crucial to the success of the dish. It will look like a lot of sauce for the pasta, but some of the liquid will be absorbed.
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is the key ingredient in mac and cheese, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for a cheese that is sharp and flavorful, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Gouda.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when you bake it.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. It will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Use milk and cream: Milk and cream add richness and flavor to the sauce. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
- Season the sauce: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a bit of garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor.
- Top with breadcrumbs: A topping of breadcrumbs adds a nice crunchy texture to the mac and cheese. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the mac and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly. This will take about 20-30 minutes.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a relatively easy dish to make, but there are a few tips you can follow to make sure it turns out perfectly. By using a good quality cheese, cooking the macaroni al dente, and making a roux, you can create a smooth and creamy sauce. Season the sauce to taste and top with breadcrumbs before baking until golden brown. With these tips, you'll be able to make the best mac and cheese ever!
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