Impossibly Easy Mac And Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• 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.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Place uncooked macaroni in pie plate. Sprinkle with 1 3/4 cups of the cheese.
• In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
• Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; place sprayed side down over pie plate. Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, whisk milk, Country Crock® Spread, and flour in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat. Drain pasta and fold into the sauce.

Steps:

• Without macaroni, there is no macaroni and cheese. But while most Americans tend to think of elbow macaroni as the definitive shape, there is a world of options. We'll look at a few favorites.Clockwise from top, shell pasta, cavatappi, elbow macaroni and penne cooked and coated in creamy sauces. By definition, classic macaroni and cheese should be made with, well, macaroni, a style broadly defined as any short, cylindrical extruded pasta. This includes tubes like ziti, penne, rigatoni and, yes, elbows, as well as corkscrew shapes like fusilli. All this is to say that plenty of shapes are suitable for macaroni and cheese (many of which come gluten-free). But you will want to make sure you stay within the world of tiny, tube-like shapes, or those undeniably cute little shells. (Like cutting a grilled cheese into triangles instead of rectangles, they may actually improve the taste of the finished product, if only in our heads.) Avoid long, thin shapes like spaghetti or linguine. Elbow enthusiasts should also note that there's a new kid in town: Cavatappi, a curly, ribbed noodle that's longer than an elbow, may very well be the platonic ideal for baked macaroni and cheese. Its length and curl perch perfectly on a fork, its ribbing is optimal for gripping luscious sauce, and its thickness (slightly thicker than elbows) decreases any risk of mushiness. Whatever shape or style you choose, it's important to remember two things: Always cook the noodles in water that's as salty as the sea to season them from the inside out, and make sure they're cooked more al dente than you might think they need to be. The pasta will continue to cook in the cheesy sauce, which not only gains thickness from the noodles' starch, but also deepens the flavor of the noodles themselves.
• The keys to good macaroni and cheese are in the texture, flavor and creaminess of the sauce. Made of just four elements (milk, thickener, cheese and seasonings), it should be pleasantly creamy but not too thick. Remember that when the noodles are added to the sauce, they will soak up the liquid like a sponge, and, if there's not enough, you'll be left with dry macaroni and cheese: a true punishment.The rule for cooking with wine also applies to cheese: Don't cook with anything you wouldn't want to drink or eat on its own. On average, you'll need a pound and a half to two pounds of cheese per pound of pasta. But the type of cheese can vary depending on the style of macaroni and cheese you are making and your preferred flavors and textures. Cheddar reigns here, somehow always behaving exactly as it should. It melts wonderfully, never breaking or becoming greasy, with just the right amount of salt and tang. Sharp, extra sharp and sharp white are best. To bolster flavor, adding a touch of something a bit more assertive like fontina or Gruyère is excellent, but be sure that at least half of the cheese used is Cheddar. Fontina and Gruyère are richer and fattier and could cause a sauce to break if used on their own. Avoid ultra mild cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby: While they are fine for melting, they lack the salt or tang to make them worth your while. A bit of Parmesan or pecorino (up to an additional 1/4 cup grated) can always be added for deeper flavor and saltiness, but too much and the sauce could become grainy. Whatever cheese you use, it's always best to grate from a block rather than buying pre-grated cheese (which can contain additives to prevent it from clumping in the bag). Now, in a perfect world, any cheese worth eating would be a good candidate for your macaroni and cheese, but that's not the world we live in. There are many factors involved, including fat, salt, protein and water content, that make one cheese more suitable than another. For example, resist the urge to melt your favorite creamy Camembert (too fatty) or salty Gouda (too grainy) into this sauce. They're much better as a sprinkle here and there.Beware of too much experimentation, though. If, in adding cheeses, you find your sauce appears broken, you can occasionally remedy it by whisking in more milk (if too thick) or Cheddar (if too runny) while it's still warm. But unlike, say, mayonnaise, once dairy breaks, it's often broken for good. It doesn't mean your sauce is inedible; you may just need to lower your expectations. It'll still be delicious, but not as creamy.No matter the style of macaroni and cheese you make, it should be sufficiently saucy, which is to say it needs a good amount of liquid. For that, whole milk is the ideal base. Heavy cream or half-and-half are too rich, even for the most die-hard mac-and-cheese lovers. In a pinch, 2 percent will work, but avoid nonfat, as it's likely to break the sauce and make it grainy.Milk and cheese alone are not enough to emulsify the sauce in a macaroni and cheese, nor are they enough to properly thicken. The solution is typically in a traditional béchamel-like sauce (milk thickened with a roux of melted butter and flour), although it is possible to do a stellar version without. The creamy weeknight mac and cheese, below, which uses cream cheese as the thickener, is an excellent example. Whatever you do, use caution: The sauce in the pot should be decidedly thinner than you'd want it to be in the finished dish. It will continue to thicken as it is absorbed into the pasta or reduces in the cooking process.The cheese sauce should be properly seasoned with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper (which cannot be undervalued, especially if you know the pleasures of a good cacio e pepe). But it doesn't have to end there. For some, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground spices like hot or smoked paprika, cayenne and dried mustard are a welcome addition, especially if you like a little heat. A pinch of ground turmeric is fun if you're looking to mimic the neon-orange hue of a boxed macaroni and cheese. One to two cloves of raw garlic or 1/4 medium onion can be grated and added to the milk before the cheese to increase the savoriness and complexity.
• Bread crumbs are not mandatory in your macaroni and cheese, but they introduce much-needed texture and crunch to an otherwise soft and creamy dish.The beauty of a good bread-crumb topping is that it can be used as a vehicle for more flavor if you mix in ingredients like Parmesan, garlic, bacon or herbs before baking. It's hard to beat a coarse bread crumb from a day-old loaf, but panko does an excellent job as a stand-in. To top a baked macaroni and cheese, mix about 1 cup bread crumbs with 4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and add any mix-ins (1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 2 grated garlic cloves; 4 strips crisp, crumbled bacon; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or thyme) before scattering it all over the dish in a thin, even layer. A thick layer will have a hard time evenly crisping, resulting in sogginess. If bread crumbs aren't your thing, grating more cheese (about 1 cup) over the top for an ultra deep, golden brown top is a most excellent move. For a stovetop macaroni and cheese, mix about 1 cup bread crumbs with 4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toast in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Add any mix-ins (1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 2 grated garlic cloves; 4 strips crisp, crumbled bacon; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or thyme) before scattering over your prepared macaroni and cheese.
• Macaroni and cheese comes in many forms: There are ultracreamy macs made with processed cheese, tangy ones made with farmhouse Cheddar, those packed with noodles and baked into a pie and those poured out of a box and cooked in an instant. But for our purposes, we'll be looking at two styles that more or less define the genre, stovetop and baked.Both baked and stovetop macaroni and cheese stem from the same basic elements, but the differences lie largely in the sauce, cooking method and, of course, the time. A classic baked macaroni and cheese relies on a béchamel-like sauce. While the technique for building it is the same, a béchamel for macaroni and cheese is thinner than what you'd need for lasagna or croque-monsieur. It should be cooked and whisked until it coats the back of a spoon with the viscosity of cold heavy cream. The added cheese and cooking time will thicken it. Once the macaroni and the cheese sauce are combined, and the bread crumbs added, it'll go into the oven. You'll want to place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil to catch the inevitable bubbles and drips of cheese sauce, making clean up exponentially easier. You'll know it's done when the macaroni in the center of the baking dish no longer seems runny, and the bread crumbs are a deep golden brown. (The edges will always cook faster than the center, excellent news for those who love crisp bits.) If you notice the center becoming dry before the bread crumbs are golden brown, increase the temperature to help them along. You could make a baked macaroni and cheese on a quiet weeknight, when you have a bit more time or don't mind eating late. But sometimes that's not possible. That's where the stovetop mac comes in. Perfect for busy weeknights, when it feels like everything is spiraling, and you need comfort quickly: Our stovetop macaroni and cheese comes together in less than half an hour, no fancy sauces required. Al dente pasta (shells are especially festive, but you can use anything you'd like) is combined with milk, cream cheese and Cheddar. Before you think about skipping the cream cheese, don't. The emulsifiers in it are what binds the sauce, preventing it from breaking (thus, rendering a flour roux unnecessary), and adding a silkiness that will make you forget about those instant versions. Extra stovetop macaroni and cheese is a myth, but if you do have any leftovers, it's easy to gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of milk and stir gently but frequently to prevent scorching your pot.
• Like a well-made margherita pizza, a classic, unadulterated macaroni and cheese is hard to beat. But if the continued enthusiasm for truffled lobster mac and cheese is any indication, for some people more is more.Kale or Broccoli Rabe: Add 2 cups (steamed or blanched) chopped kale or broccoli rabe to the noodles and cheese while mixing together. Broccoli or Cauliflower: Add 2 cups (steamed, blanched or roasted) chopped broccoli or cauliflower to the noodles and cheese while mixing together.Mushrooms: Add 2 cups sautéed or roasted mushrooms (any kind works here) to the noodles and cheese while mixing together.Bacon: Add ½ pound crisped, chopped bacon to the noodles and cheese while mixing together.Lobster: Add the chopped meat of one steamed 1½-pound lobster to the noodles and cheese while mixing together.More Cheese: Stir in an additional 1 cup (4 ounces) grated cheese (like Cheddar, fontina, Gruyère, Gouda or mozzarella), crumbled blue cheese (like Gorgonzola) or creamy cheese (like chevre or Camembert).Roasted Garlic: Mix the cloves from 1 head of roasted garlic with the cheese sauce before adding to the noodles.Caramelized Onions or Shallots: Add 1 cup of caramelized onions or shallots to the noodles and cheese while combining noodles and sauce sauce.Herbs: Add a few thyme sprigs to the warm milk or béchamel as you build the sauce, and allow it to steep 10 to 15 minutes before removing them and adding the cheese.

Steps:

• 1. PIE: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9 inch pie plate. Place uncooked macaroni in pie plate. Sprinkle 1 3/4 cup shredded cheese evenly over macaroni. In a mixing bowl stir together all remaining pie ingredients. Mix until well blended. Carefully pour this over ingredients already in pie plate. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean.
• 2. FOR TOPPING PIE AT END OF BAKING: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese and bake for 2-3 minutes more to melt cheese. Let sit outside oven for 5 minutes before cutting. NOTE: If you are using this recipe for adults you may wish to add 1/4 teaspoon of dried red pepper flakes. You can also crush some seasoned croutons and sprinkle over the cheese for final couple of minutes of baking- when you add the cheese and melt it. Or you can garnish the baked pie with paprika or fresh parsley.

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 10-inch pie plate or casserole dish with cooking spray. Place uncooked macaroni in pie plate. Mix shredded cheeses. Spread 2 1/2 cups cheese on top of macaroni.
• 2. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients (except remaining 1/2 cup cheese) with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate on top of macaroni.
• 3. Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; place sprayed side down over pie plate. Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 2 to 4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, sprinkle 1/4 cup bread crumbs into 36 greased mini-muffin cups. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and seasonings until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese until melted., Remove from heat; stir in biscuit mix, eggs and 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Add macaroni; toss to coat. Spoon about 2 tablespoons macaroni mixture into prepared mini-muffin cups; sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and bread crumbs., Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package (you want the pasta to have a slight bite; it will finish cooking while it bakes).
• In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces shredded cheddar with the American cheese and cornstarch. Use your fingers to gently toss until all of the cheese is coated.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. As the butter begins to sizzle, add the mustard powder and cayenne and stir to combine. Toast the spices until the butter turns golden brown, about 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until the milk begins to simmer, with small bubbles rapidly rising to the surface, about 3 minutes.
• Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then temper it by slowly adding in spoonfuls of the simmering milk mixture while continuing to whisk until incorporated.
• Slowly drizzle the tempered egg back into the milk mixture, whisking vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated.
• Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheddar cheese mixture, a small handful at a time, whisking between each addition to make sure the cheese melts evenly (mix quickly enough that the mixture does not cool too rapidly, but slowly enough that the emulsion does not break).
• Add the cooked pasta to the pot and gently fold to coat with the sauce, then season with 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the pasta and sauce into an 8-inch square baking dish with 2-inch-high sides (at this point, the pasta can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days).
• In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces of cheddar cheese, the mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the pasta.
• Bake the mac and cheese until the cheese is melted and beginning to bubble around the edges, about 20 minutes. Turn the broiler on high and broil the mac and cheese until the cheese begins to brown all over, about 5 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes for the sauce set and cool slightly.
• Serve warm.
• Enjoy!