Hearty Mac N Cheese Recipes

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

HEARTY MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9 X 13 baking pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat until the squash is fully defrosted. Turn the heat up and cook until almost simmering. Add the ricotta cheese. Use an immersion blender to make sure the squash, milk and cheese is nice and smooth (this isn't necessary, but it helped the consistency).
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Cheddar, Monterey Jack, salt, mustard and cayenne. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan and olive oil. Sprinkle over the top of the mac & cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes to crisp-up the top.

SPICY MAC 'N' CHEESE BITES RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the mac 'n' cheese: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Return the pot to medium heat. Add the butter, flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes, or until the butter is melted and the mixture is evenly combined. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the milk and cook until the sauce starts to thicken, 3-4 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, add the Frank's RedHot® and cheddar cheese, and stir until the cheese is melted.
• Pour the sauce into the bowl with the macaroni and stir until the pasta is well-coated. Let cool for about 20 minutes.
• Assemble the fried mac 'n' cheese: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once the mac 'n' cheese has cooled, add the mozzarella cheese and stir to combine.
• Scoop the mac 'n' cheese mixture into 1½-inch bites, rolling into smooth balls, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes.
• Heat the canola oil in a heavy deep pot over medium-high heat until the temperature reaches 375°F (190°C).
• In the meantime, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and water until well-combined. Add the panko bread crumbs to a separate shallow bowl. Coat the mac 'n' cheese bites in the egg wash, then cover completely in the bread crumbs.
• When the oil is hot, add the mac 'n' cheese bites to the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown (work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and immediately sprinkle with salt.
• Arrange the bites on a serving platter and drizzle with Frank's RedHot® or serve in a dish alongside for dipping.
• Enjoy!
• Note: If you don't have a thermometer, test the temperature of the oil using a wooden chopstick. Dip the tip of the chopstick in the oil. The oil is hot enough to fry when bubbles form around the chopstick.

HEARTY MACARONI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add to prepared macaroni. Stir in tomatoes., Divide half of mixture between two greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dishes; sprinkle each with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining mixture., Sprinkle remaining cheese over one casserole. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Sprinkle the second casserole with French-fried onions. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through., To use frozen casserole: Completely thaw in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.

HEARTY MAC 'N CHEESE FROM THE CROW'S NEST INN

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
• Meanwhile, prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions.
• Drain beef mixture; stir into macaroni and cheese.
• Transfer to a greased shallow 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bacon.
• Broil until mozzarella is melted, about 2 minutes.