Star Jones Famous To Die For Mac And Cheese Recipes

"TO DIE FOR" BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Start by cooking 1 pound of elbow macaroni until "el dente", drain & set aside.
• Cut the crust off of white bread (set crusts aside for later) and line a very large baking dish with them. (I ended up needing one large 9x13 pan and another 8x8 pan to fit it all).
• Melt 8 Tablespoons of butter in Microwave then brush all over the bread. (YES this is one entire cube of butter.).
• Take the crusts & spread on a cookie sheet & put into a 200 degree oven until nice & dry. I deviated from JoAnne's recipe here and sprinked the crusts with a bit of Garlic Powder.
• Put 5 1/2 cups of WHOLE milk into your pot and don't try to make it with skim milk. You just got done brushing all the bread with one cube of butter. Don't you think skim milk is pointless by now? (Also, make the pot a large one).
• On a lower heat setting warm the milk a bit then slowly add 1/2 cup flour as you whisk to prevent lumping (you can also use another thickening agent like corn starch etc).
• Add 1/4 tsp White Pepper (you can use regular black pepper if you don't have white), 1/4 tsp Cayanne Pepper & 1/4 tsp Nutmeg.
• To the milk, flour, spice mixture you add 4 1/2 cups of White Cheddar (I used Tilamook Vintage White). Now I didn't want to shred it all so here was my conversion -- 8 oz to a cup -- so basically I just cubed up an entire two pound block of it and put it into the pot. I could be totally off but it turned out great anyway.
• Add 1 cup Swiss & 1 Cup Romano.
• Keep stirring over low to medium heat until the cheese is melted & everything is mixed creamy together.
• When it's all mixed and creamy mix in your elbow macaroni.
• Pour the mixture into the white bread lined baking dish (or dishes).
• Crumble up your dried out bread crusts to make coarse bread crumbs.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the macaroni mixture.
• Put pans into a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes until bubbly & browned on top.

COPYCAT CARL'S JR. FAMOUS STAR WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground sirloin, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder until evenly combined. Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts and then shape each into thin patties. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes.
• Heat an indoor grill pan or outdoor grill over high heat. Once hot, place the frozen meat patties on the grill. Press down with a spatula and cook for about 4 minutes on the first side. Flip over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on the second side. Turn off the grill and place a slice of cheese on top of each patty.
• In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and relish. Set aside.
• Toast the buns and spread each half with mayo.
• To assemble the burgers, place a few pickle slices on each bottom half of the buns. Top layer lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a burger patty. Spread some of the ketchup mixture on the top bun and place on top. Serve immediately.

GRANDMA'S FAMOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• NOTE: IF YOU DON'T HAVE SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, SUBSTITUTE I CUP OF THE CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH GRATED ROMANO CHEESE. MEASURE 4 LEVEL CUPS (ABOUT 14 OUNCES) OF DRY MACARONI (DON'T USE A FULL POUND). USE WHOLE MILK ONLY (STEP ONE PREP): Preheat oven to 350°F ; Lightly butter or spray a 2.8 - 3 quart casserole dish. Shred 20 ounces sharp cheddar cheese on a medium grate. Set aside approximately 1 cup of shredded cheese for the final garnish. Prepare the breadcrumb topping if using (melt butter, then toss all ingredients well). Set all aside until needed.
• INTO a large pot with an accompanying tight-fitting lid, add 12 cups (3 quarts) water enough kosher salt to season moderately; BRING to a rapid boil.
• ADD macaroni to boiling water and bring back to a rapid boil; COOK, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes; COVER pot and remove from heat; LET stand 10 minutes; DRAIN in a colander placed in sink; RINSE with hot water and allow to drain again.
• IN the previous emptied pot over a low heat setting, add the butter in tablespoons until melted; SPRINKLE in the flour and stir; RAISE heat to medium low and cook until light golden, bubbly and slightly nutty in aroma, stirring as needed (do not let mixture turn brown or you will need to wash the pot and start over!).
• RAISE heat to medium-high; GRADUALLY whisk in the milk; WHISK in the kosher salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and nutmeg; CONTINUE whisking until mixture begins to steam and bubble; REDUCE heat and cook 1-2 minutes until fully thickened; REMOVE from heat and let stand 1-2 minutes.
• STIR in the sharp cheddar cheese (except the reserved 1 cup) until blended and creamy; FOLD in the macaroni and blend until creamy and macaroni is clump-free.
• POUR mixture into prepared baking dish; SPRINKLE evenly with reserved 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese; TOP evenly with combined BUTTERED BREADCRUMB TOPPING ingredients (or if not using breadcrumb topping, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons powdered parmesan cheese).
• SLIDE out oven rack using oven mitts; PLACE casserole dish in center of prepared baking sheet; SET oven timer for 35 minutes.
• BAKE until timer sounds; CHECK to make sure breadcrumbs are golden brown and edges are bubbling (if not, return to oven and continue baking); REMOVE from oven and place on cooling rack; COOL and let stand a few minutes before serving.
• SERVE and enjoy.

OLD-FASHIONED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling water until almost tender; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard, pepper and pepper sauce until smooth. Cook for 1 minute or until bubbly. Stir in the macaroni, milk and 4 cups cheese. , Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

FALL TO YOUR KNEES MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9 nonstick metal baking pan with 1 Tbsp butter.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Prepare macaroni according to package directions, cook until al dente.
• Add a pinch of salt and a dash of olive oil to the boiling water while cooking.
• Drain pasta well and pour into the baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, half-and-half, and sour cream.
• Break the cream cheese into small pieces and add it to the bowl.
• Add the egg, flour, worcestershire, garlic and onion powder, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg.
• Combine very well with a wire whisk to break up the cream cheese. It will still look lumpy when your done.
• Place and push down the Velveeta and White Vermont cheddar cubes into the pasta. Work your way around the whole dish, through and toward the middle (they don't have to be completely pushed to the bottom because they will spring up , but just push them down as best you can). Now sprinkle the wondeful Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
• Pour the mixture on top evenly, covering all of it.
• Gently shake the pan afterwards to make sure that the liquid is even.
• Push down and make little holes into the mixture with your fingers. (You're just helping to get some of that Gruyère down deeper below the surface.).
• Sprinkle the Jack-and-Cheddar combo over the mixture and sprinkle the paprika on top.
• Put in the oven on the middle rack.
• Bake until brown and bubbly. (30-45 minutes).

THE BEST STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, mustard powder and paprika; cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly darker, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and comes to a simmer, 7 to 8 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar, American cheese and cream cheese until melted and remove from heat.
• Add the pasta to the sauce; toss, adding some reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt.

JOAN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water until just tender. Drain well. Add butter, milk, ricotta, cream cheese, Monterey jack, and 12 ounces of the Gouda to the warm pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix everything together, leaving some chunks of cheese visible. Pour the mixture into 9 by 11-inch baking pan. Top with the remaining 8 ounces of gouda. Bake until beautifully golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot or room temperature.

THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just slightly softened, about 6 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
• Meanwhile, remove the crusts from the bread and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pulse in the food processor until the bread breaks into bean-sized pieces.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until toasted, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, mustard powder and cayenne. Cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to boil and thicken, about 7 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the fontina, Gruyere and all but 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar until fully melted. Stir in the pasta, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to make a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Brush a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with the melted butter. Spread the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar evenly over the pasta, then scatter the toasted breadcrumbs on top. Bake until heated through and just bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

STAR JONE'S FAMOUS TO DIE FOR MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Directions:.
• Pre-heat oven to 350°.
• Pour milk and butter into a medium sauce pan and heat over a low flame. Slowly add each kind of cheese (except 1 oz of Sharp Cheddar and a ½ oz of Blue Cheese) and allow it to melt. Be sure to cook over a low flame and stir constantly to prevent clumping and sticking.
• While the cheese is melting, in a separate pot, cook the macaroni according to the directions (do not overcook) with a dash of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Drain macaroni and pour ½ into a large baking or casserole dish. Add salt and pepper to taste then slowly add half of the cheese/milk mixture and stir together thoroughly. Pour remaining macaroni and cheese/milk mixture into the a 2 quart baking dish and stir well.
• Sprinkle remaining Sharp Cheddar and Blue Cheese on top of the macaroni and place in the oven. Bake until a light golden brown (approximately 20 - 30 minutes). Let stand a half hour and serve.
• You have just died and gone to heaven!