Best Absolutely The Easiest Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
- For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'
Provided by Meredith
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
- Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
- Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g
THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE
There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.
Provided by CookingONTheSide
Categories Cheese
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in microwave.
- Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
- Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
- Add milk. Do not stir.
- Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7
ABSOLUTELY THE EASIEST--BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
A dear friend gave this to me to make while our granddaughter stayed with us for a week. I was trying to find all these easy and different little meals that she would enjoy and would not be much work for me. This is the easiest Macaroni & Cheese I have ever made and is yummy. Hubby and granddaughter liked it, too. I used Hood's Country Style cottage cheese but any would be fine. You don't have to cook the pasta before putting it in the oven. This is unbelievable. The oven does all the work. Talk about lazy.....this is my kind of dish.
Provided by Mimi in Maine
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Spray a 9x11x2 pan and spread the UNCOOKED macaroni in the bottom.
- Dot with butter and evenly spread the cottage cheese over this; don't mix.
- Add the American cheese and then add the Cheddar cheese evenly.
- Pour the boiling water over the top.
- DO NOT STIR.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 565.8, Fat 27.8, SaturatedFat 16.1, Cholesterol 82.6, Sodium 924.5, Carbohydrate 45.8, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 4.6, Protein 32.2
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Absolutely the Easiest Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe: An
Baked macaroni and cheese is one of the most loved dishes in America. It is a classic comfort food that people turn to when they need a quick and simple meal that will satisfy their hunger and cravings. There are countless recipes out there for mac and cheese, but not all of them are easy to make. Many recipes require multiple steps and a list of ingredients that can be overwhelming for beginner cooks. However, there is one recipe that stands out for its simplicity and taste - the easiest baked macaroni and cheese recipe.Ingredients
Macaroni
The first ingredient you will need is macaroni. You can choose any type of macaroni you prefer, but most people use elbow macaroni. You will need around 2 cups of uncooked macaroni.Cheese
The second ingredient is cheese. You can use any type of cheese you like, but cheddar cheese is the most commonly used. You will need around 2 cups of shredded cheese.Milk
The third ingredient is milk. You will need around 2 cups of milk.Flour
The fourth ingredient is flour. You will need around 2 tablespoons of flour.Butter
The fifth ingredient is butter. You will need around 2 tablespoons of butter.Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
The first step is to cook the macaroni. You will need to follow the instructions on the package to cook it. Once it is cooked, drain it and set it aside.Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
The second step is to make the cheese sauce. To do this, you will need to melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and stir until it is combined. Cook the flour and butter mixture for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then, slowly add the milk to the flour mixture, whisking constantly. Once all the milk has been added, continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Add the shredded cheese to the mixture and stir until it is melted and well combined.Step 3: Combine the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
The third step is to combine the macaroni and cheese sauce. To do this, pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until the macaroni is well coated.Step 4: Bake the Macaroni and Cheese
The final step is to bake the macaroni and cheese. To do this, preheat your oven to 350°F. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake it in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.Conclusion
In conclusion, the easiest baked macaroni and cheese recipe is a simple, yet delicious dish that will satisfy your hunger and cravings. With just a few basic ingredients and simple instructions, even beginner cooks can make this classic comfort food. So, the next time you are in the mood for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try and enjoy the cheesy goodness!Macaroni and cheese is one of the most favorite comfort foods for many people. It is creamy, cheesy, and filling, which makes it perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even a snack. If you are new to cooking, making baked macaroni and cheese can seem like a daunting task. But worry not, because with these tips, you can make absolutely the easiest baked macaroni and cheese recipes that your taste buds will thank you for.
Pick The Right Type of Pasta
The type of pasta you use can make or break your macaroni and cheese. Choose a pasta that will hold the cheese sauce well and have a good texture even after baking. Elbow macaroni is the most commonly used, but you can also use penne, fusilli, or cavatappi. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente, so that it will not become mushy after baking.
Choose The Right Cheese
The key ingredient of any macaroni and cheese recipe is cheese. Selecting the right type of cheese is crucial to ensure that your macaroni and cheese is tasty, creamy and gooey. Creamy cheese like cheddar, American, or Colby-Jack are the best for the cheese sauce as they melt quickly without separating. Using a combination of cheeses add richness to the cheese sauce, and some cheeses like Parmesan can add a nice flavor kick. Grate the cheese rather than buying pre-shredded cheese as the pre-shredded has a coating that may prevent it from melting properly.
Do Not Forget The Salt
Adding salt is an essential part of the recipe as it brings out the flavor. Add salt to the water used for boiling the pasta, and to the béchamel sauce (white sauce) that forms the base of the cheese sauce. Taste the sauce repeatedly as you add the salt, and only add a pinch at a time to avoid over salting the dish.
Add Spices and Herbs
Besides salt, adding spices and herbs to the cheese sauce can make your macaroni and cheese more flavorful. Spices like paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and black pepper add heat, depth, and complexity. Herbs such as thyme, parsley, or rosemary can add freshness to the dish. Adding onions, garlic or even tomato sauce can give the dish more depth of flavor. Experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect balance for your taste.
Finish With Some Crumbs
The final touch for any baked macaroni and cheese recipe is to add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers to the top. This adds crunch and texture to the dish. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter or oil, and spread it over the macaroni and cheese before baking. Alternately, crushed crackers like Ritz or Goldfish can add a nice flavor kick. Broil the top of the dish for 2-3 minutes to brown the breadcrumbs (watch it carefully so it doesn't burn).
Choose The Right Pan
The right pan facilitates even cooking and prevents the edges from drying out. Use a deep, wide baking dish that will fit all of the ingredients with some room to spare. Aluminum or ceramic baking dishes work great. Avoid using a too small or too shallow pan, as the cheese sauce may bubble over and make a mess in your oven.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Variations
Once you are familiar with the basics of making macaroni and cheese, you can start exploring variations on the recipe. For example, adding vegetables like broccoli, peas or mushrooms can make it a more nutritious and complete meal. Adding meat like bacon, ham, or sausage can take the recipe to another level; crab meat or lobster can make it a fancy treat. If you are feeling adventurous, add some chili sauce, or try a macaroni and cheese with jalapeño peppers for a spicier kick.
Conclusion
Making the perfect baked macaroni and cheese is not rocket science. With these tips, you can create the easiest, creamiest, and most flavorful baked macaroni and cheese you will ever taste. Remember to pick the right pasta, cheese, salt, spices, herbs, pan, and the perfect finish. Experiment with variations on the recipe, and you might just create your signature dish. Enjoy your macaroni and cheese with your family, friends or by yourself, and feel the comfort and happiness that this dish brings.