Kick It Up A Notch Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

KICK IT UP A NOTCH HAM AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Place all of the bread slices on a flat work surface.
• Using a butter knife or small rubber spatula, spread 1 side of each slice with some of the softened butter.
• Use 1/2 of the butter for this – you'll need the rest later.
• Turn over 4 slices of the bread and spread the unbuttered sides of 2 of the bread slices with the mustard, and the other 2 slices with the honey.
• For each sandwich, fold 1 ham slice on top of the mustard spread and top with 1/4 of the sliced Gruyere cheese.
• Cover with the remaining 4 bread slices, making sure that the buttered sides face out.
• You will have 4 sandwiches.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the skillet.
• Transfer the sandwiches to the skillet and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes.
• Turn and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
• Cook the sandwiches until the cheese has melted and the second side is golden brown, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the sandwiches from the pan and serve immediately.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. A little at a time, whisk in milk, mustard, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, then remove from heat and whisk in pepperjack, Cheddar and Parmesan until smooth. Stir in cooked pasta and pour into shallow 2 quart baking dish.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in bread crumbs and chili powder. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
• Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking dish with the butter. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the White Cheddar cheese, the ham and the tater tots. Mix the mixture thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking dish with the butter. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the White Cheddar cheese, the ham and the tater tots. Mix the mixture thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is brown.

OLD SCHOOL MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour to butter, whisking constantly; cook until brown and the mixture no longer smells of flour, about 5 minutes. Pour 1 cup milk into the flour mixture, whisking continually until fully incorporated, about 45 seconds; repeat twice. Add remaining 3 cups milk to the mixture, whisking to incorporate. Stir Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper into the mixture; season with salt and black pepper.
• Reduce heat to low. Cook sauce, whisking frequently, until it begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Add about half the package of shredded Cheddar cheese; stir continually until the cheese melts completely. Repeat with remaining half package of Cheddar cheese and the American cheese, about 4 ounces at a time. Once cheese is entirely incorporated, remove sauce from heat.
• Stir drained macaroni into the cheese sauce to coat. Divide macaroni between two 9x13-inch baking dishes.
• Mix crushed potato chips, 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Top the macaroni with the potato chip mixture evenly. Spray the potato chip mixture with cooking spray.
• Bake in preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling, 35 to 45 minutes.

KICK IT UP A NOTCH MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook elbow noodles according to directions.
• While the pasta is cooking cut 16 oz block of cheese into small cubes and slice the Velveeta into pieces.
• Drain the pasta when done, do not rinse.
• Return the pasta to the pot; add butter, milk, cheese cubes and slices to the hot pasta. Mix well until the Velveeta is melted.
• The mixture will be soupy and the cubes of cheese will not be melted completely.
• Add the peppers and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour in baking dish. Cover with the 8 oz of cheddar that has been shredded.
• Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Top should be browned and pasta should be set.