Best Peppy Macaroni Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING PEPPER JACK MAC

Contest-Winning Pepper Jack Mac image

When I want to make something hearty, creamy and cheesy, I go with this dish. It's comfort food at its finest. -Rianna Styx, Libertyville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
TOPPING:
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cheddar french-fried onions, crushed

Steps:

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside., In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard, pepper and Worcestershire sauce until smooth; gradually add milk and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted. Stir macaroni into cheese mixture., Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, bacon, Parmesan cheese and onions. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 859 calories, Fat 64g fat (37g saturated fat), Cholesterol 191mg cholesterol, Sodium 1127mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

CHEF JOHN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese image

This easy-to-make old-school macaroni and cheese has a perfectly crispy crust.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon white pepper
3 cups milk
1 pinch ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.
Stir in nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.
Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.8 g, Cholesterol 94.5 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 19.9 g, Sodium 928.4 mg, Sugar 8.1 g