Southern Macaroni And Pimiento Cheese Recipes

PIMENTO MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F and lightly butter a 10 inch cast iron skillet.
• Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan and whisk in the flour, paprika, and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat, whisking constantly.
• While whisking, add the milk and cream slowly to avoid lumps. Whisk or stir with a silicone spoonula until all the milk and cream are incorporated. Keep cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture ALMOST comes to a boil, and thickens. Do not let it boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat (this is important) and let it cool for a minute or two.
• Add the shredded cheese to the pot, stirring until the cheese has completely melted. This may take a few minutes. If necessary you can put the pot back on the stove to gently heat until the cheese melts.
• Stir in the pimentos and cooked pasta and turn into your buttered skillet.
• Mix the cracker crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly saturated.
• Top with the crumb mixture, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4). Butter a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of about 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Add the macaroni, reduce the heat to medium, and continue boiling until al dente** following package directions. Drain the macaroni well.
• In a bowl combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese, shredded cheese, drained pimientos, and grated onion. Mix the ingredients together until thoroughly blended. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. Add the hot drained macaroni and mix until well blended.
• Spoon the macaroni and pimiento cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the French fried onions over the casserole.
• Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the macaroni and cheese mixture is hot and bubbling around the edges and the topping is lightly browned and crispy.
• Serve with a simple tossed green salad or fresh sliced tomatoes, or serve it along with a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. *Diced pimientos come in small jars, and they're located in the vegetable section of most supermarkets. If you can't find pimientos or need to substitute, use roasted red bell peppers. To roast red bell pepper or fresh red pimiento peppers, place them on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake them in a preheated 500 F oven for about 30 minutes, turning frequently until all sides are charred. Remove the pan to a rack and cover with foil. Let stand for about 30 minutes. Quarter the peppers, remove stems, peels, and seeds. Chop the peeled peppers or slice into strips. Refrigerate roasted red peppers in oil for up to 2 weeks. **Al Dente: From the Italian, it means literally, "to the tooth." In the case of pasta, it means cooking it until it is still somewhat firm, or firm to the bite. You Might Also Like Macaroni and Cheese Croquettes Simple Macaroni and Cheese Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
• While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

BAKED MACARONI AND PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to the package; drain.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
• Whisk in flour gradually until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
• Gradually, whisk in the milk, salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Cook,.
• while whisking frequently for 3-5 minutes or until thickened.
• Add cheddar cheese and pimentos; cook until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in pasta.
• In a baking dish with cooking spray (9-by-13 in.), spoon pasta mixture.
• In a bowl, add parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly!