Extra Special Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

EXTRA RICH-AND-CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Combine the evaporated milk, eggs, havarti, Colby jack, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Add the pasta and sour cream to the sauce; toss to coat, then let sit 5 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Add the reserved cooking water to loosen, if desired.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the macaroni until still slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg. In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn. Pour in the milk, add the mustard and whisk until smooth. Cook until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
• Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the eggs. Whisk together until smooth. Pour the egg into the sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth. Add in the cheese and stir to melt. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt and the pepper. Add any additional spices if desired. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
• Pour in the drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately (while it's still very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese and bake until bubbly and golden on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until slightly crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and cut into bite-size pieces.
• In a separate pan, cook the onions in the butter over a low heat until caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Use a fork to crumble the gorgonzola.
• Put the bacon, caramelized onions and crumbled gorgonzola into separate bowls. Serve as delicious toppings for both sliders and macaroni cheese.

EXTRA SPECIAL THREE-CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Grease a 2-quart baking dish .
• Heat the oven to 350 F.
• Cook macaroni in salted boiling water following package directions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
• In a large saucepan , melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly; continue cooking and stirring until slightly thickened. Add the herbs, salt, and pepper, then stir in the goat cheese and cheddar. Stir in about 3 ounces of the Parmesan cheese; set the rest aside for the topping. Continue cooking and stirring the sauce until the cheeses have melted.
• Add the drained macaroni to the sauce and spoon it into the prepared baking dish.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the breadcrumbs and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Mix until well blended and the crumbs are thoroughly coated with butter.
• Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the casserole.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is browned and bubbling around the edges.

"EXTRAORDINARY" MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt butter in 4-qt saucepan over med heat. Add onions and saute until transparent. Stir in flour and salt. Cook 1 minute stirring constantly.
• Add milk, stir to blend. Add tomatoes, juice and all. Bring to a low, steady simmer. Add uncooked pasta. Cover and continue to simmer gently for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Mixture will thicken as it is cooking.).
• Remove from heat. Add cheese. Stir gently until cheese is melted. Let sit 5 minutes fefore serving.
• Note: For a cheesier version put in a casserole dish and top with an additional 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and broil until cheese is melted and just starting to brown.
• For an Italian twist try substituting the Cheddar cheese with 1 Cup fontina cheese and 1/2 Cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

MACARONI SPECIAL

Steps:

• Sauté onion in oil until soft.
• Add soup, water and cheese. Stir together until cheese is melted. Remove from heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until tender but firm. Drain. Put pasta in lightly greased 9x13 pan and add tomato soup mixture to pasta. Stir.
• Topping: melt margarine in saucepan or in microwave. Stir in bread crumbs. Sprinkle all over. Bake, uncovered, in 350F oven for 30 minutes.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni, drain, and place in casserole dish.
• Cook butter, salt, pepper, and flour.
• Add milk and boil for 1 minute.
• Add cheese a few cubes at a time until it all blended.
• Pour over macaroni.
• Bake at 350 until a "crust" is formed, about 30-45 minutes.