Sneaky Mac N Cheese Recipes

SNEAKY MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Coat shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well; reserve.
• Meanwhile, whisk dry milk powder into low-fat milk until smooth. In large pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, until starting to brown, 2 minutes. Whisk in milk mixture until blended; cook, stirring, until thickened, 2 minutes. Stir in squash until smooth and blended. Stir in cheese, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
• Stir pasta into cheese sauce; transfer to baking dish. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter; stir in crackers and dried thyme. Sprinkle over pasta mixture. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 15 minutes. If desired, garnish with thyme sprigs.

VEGGIE MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions, adding broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and celery during the last 6 minutes of cooking. Drain; transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat; saute onion until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in milk and broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes; stir in cheese, mustard, salt and pepper. , Add to macaroni mixture, stirring to coat; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 15-20 minutes.

INSTANT POT® MAC AND CHEESE WITH HAM AND PEAS

Steps:

• Combine water, elbow macaroni, mustard powder, salt, and hot sauce in an electric pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Close and lock the lid. Set to high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions and cook for 4 minutes. Allow up to 10 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Switch to Low Saute function by pressing Saute once and Adjust twice. Stir macaroni to separate any clumps.
• Stir evaporated milk, milk, and butter into the pot. Add Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese gradually, stirring constantly until melted. Stir in ham and peas. Season with salt and pepper.

MASTERFUL MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Butter a 9" square baking pan.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, until firm and slightly undercooked(8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk the milk with the oange puree and salt.(and white puree if using-if using both use 1/4 cup each). Put half the macaroni into the baking pan and top with half colby(or cheddar) cheese.
• Next, layer with the rest of the macaroni, then pour the milk mixture over the top, finishing with the last of the cheese on top.
• If using Crunchy Topping Variation, use a rolling pin to gently crush cereal in a sealed plastic bag. Or, you can quickly pulse the cereal in a food processor. Add wheat germ and Parmesan to the bag and shake to mix.
• Sprinkle crumb mixture on top of macaroni and cheese and dot with butter.
• Bake 30-35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.