Mac Cheese Classic Recipes

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat; stir in flour with whisk until smooth. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk; cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in salt, black pepper, red pepper and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir in cooked macaroni.
• Spoon mixture into casserole. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch ovenproof casserole dish.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender (a little more than al dente), about 12 minutes. Drain well in a colander.
• In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, cheese, milk and eggs. Add some salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared dish.
• Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly before serving.

CLASSIC MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Melt the butter in the bottom of an oven-proof fry pan. Add the flour and stir over heat until just beginning to brown - don't let it get too brown. Take it off the heat and stir in about 1 cup of milk until the butter and flour mixture is fully incorporated. Put it back on the heat and simmer until just beginning to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the milk; stir to fully incorporate.
• Add all of the cheeses and stir to melt. Once melted, add the cooked macaroni. Stir to mix.
• Cover the top of the mac and cheese with panko crumbs and place the pan in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is bubbling and the bread crumbs are slightly browned.

OUR FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in the middle of oven. Butter the baking dish.
• Make the topping:
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat butter and oil until butter foam subsides. Add panko and garlic; cook, stirring, until crumbs are golden brown, 4-6 minutes. Transfer crumbs to a medium bowl, stir in Parmesan and salt, and set aside.
• Prepare the macaroni and sauce:
• Set a large, covered pot of salted water over high heat to boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente (avoid overcooking). Drain macaroni and set aside.
• In a large wide pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle flour over butter, whisking to incorporate and make a roux. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until roux is light golden, about 4 minutes. Gradually pour in milk and cream, whisking constantly to incorporate and make a béchamel sauce. Raise heat to medium-high and bring sauce to a low boil, whisking constantly. Reduce to a simmer, whisking occasionally, and cook until béchamel sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes more.
• Add 2 tsp. salt, pepper, and mustard powder. Add the cheeses in three batches, whisking until each addition is completely melted before adding more. Remove from heat.
• Add the drained macaroni to the pot with the cheese sauce and stir well to coat. Transfer macaroni mixture to the buttered baking dish and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni and bake until golden and bubbling, 18-22 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook and stir 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; bring to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until melted. Stir in macaroni.
• Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through.