Three Cheese Mac With Cheez It Herb Crumb Crust Recipes

BAKED MACARONI WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to broil.
• Use 1 T of butter to generously coat a 3-quart casserole dish.
• Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in large stockpot.
• Add 2 T of salt, stir briefly, then add the pasta.
• Cook until tender and just past al dente, about 10-13 minutes, or slightly longer than package directions.
• Drain the pasta, then transfer it to a large bowl.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta, then toss to coat; set aside.
• To make the sauce, in a small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of the remaining butter, using a whisk to swirl it to ensure the butter melts completely and does not turn brown.
• If the butter begins to brown, lower the heat.
• While whisking, sprinkle in the flour.
• Continue to whisk until the mixture just bubbles, about 2 minutes.
• Do not let the mixture brown.
• While whisking, slowly pour the milk in the saucepan.
• Continue whisking until there are no lumps.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and season with salt and pepper.
• Continue whisking until the sauce reaches the consistency of heavy cream and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from the heat.
• Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
• Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat.
• Transfer the pasta and sauce, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl, to the prepared casserole dish.
• Set aside.
• In small microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 1 T of butter by microwaving on high for about 20 seconds.
• Add the breadcrumbs and remaining cheddar and parmesan cheeses; toss well.
• Spread the bread crumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
• Place the dish on the oven's middle rack and broil for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly, and a crunchy crust forms on top.
• Cool briefly before serving.

HERBED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in a 1-1/2-qt. casserole and set aside. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and seasonings; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove pan from heat; add the sour cream, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and Havarti cheese. Stir until melted. , Pour sauce over macaroni; toss to coat. Combine the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and remaining cheddar cheese; sprinkle over casserole. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

CRUMB-TOPPED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot. , Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter and pepper flakes over medium heat until butter is melted. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. , Stir in Gruyere, mascarpone, mustard, salt and pepper until blended. Add sauce to macaroni, tossing to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Melt remaining butter. Add panko and Italian seasoning; toss to coat. Sprinkle over macaroni. Bake, uncovered, until topping is golden brown, 10-15 minutes.

CHEESY CHEEZ-IT MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute or until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium; gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove pan from heat.
• Stir pasta, and ground black pepper into cheese mixture; spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread crushed Cheez-it crackers on top.
• Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

THREE CHEESE MAC WITH CHEEZ-IT HERB CRUMB CRUST

Steps:

• Set the oven to broil. Add the pasta to a pot of boiling salted water and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Pulse the crackers in a food processor to a coarse consistency. Mix with the chives and parsley.
• Whisk the butter and flour in a medium saucepot over medium-high heat until fully incorporated and bubbly. Add the milk and bring to a simmer, whisking the entire time. Whisk in the cheeses, a little at a time, until thoroughly combined. Add the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
• Strain the pasta and mix with the cheesy sauce. Spoon into oven-safe baking vessels and top with the crumb crust. Place under the broiler until lightly toasted and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully so the mac doesn't burn.

HERB CRUST

Steps:

• Stir together the breadcrumbs, basil, oil, thyme, parsley, pepper and salt. To use with meat, moisten chicken or pork with water and press the crumb mixture over the meat. Place on a rack and bake at 400 degrees F until done, 10 to 20 minutes.