Best Perfect Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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PERFECT MACARONI AND CHEESE FROM MARTHA STEWART



Perfect Macaroni and Cheese from Martha Stewart image

Easy to make, flavorful. Makes 12 servings, Perfect for those "dish to pass" occasions. Taken From Macaroni & Cheese: 52 Recipes From Simple to Sublime. I use a 3 quart oblong glass dish for this casserole.

Provided by Mary C.

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 slices good-quality bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4 inch pieces
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups grated white cheddar cheese (divided) or 18 ounces white cheddar cheese (divided)
1 1/4 cups grated pecorino romano cheese or 5 ounces pecorino romano cheese (divided)
1 lb elbow macaroni or 4 cups elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Butter 3 quart casserole dish and set aside.
  • Place bread pieces in medium bowl.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter,.
  • Pour butter into the bowl with bread and toss.
  • Set breadcrumbs aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk.
  • Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skilled over medium heat.
  • When butter bubbles, add flour.
  • Cook, stirring, 1 minute.
  • Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking.
  • Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 102 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano.
  • Set cheese sauce aside.
  • Fill a large saucepan with water,. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni: cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stire macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.
  • Just about now, your kitchen smells wonderful and everyone wants to know "When do we eat?".
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.

PERFECT MACARONI AND CHEESE



Perfect Macaroni and Cheese image

for those of you who like home cooked meals and not the runny orange mac and cheese! I always have to make this when i have friends over (as per their request)

Provided by patriciamercer84

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups about 18 ounces grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 cups about 8 ounces grated gruyere or 1 1/4 cups about 5 ounces grated pecorino romano cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • 1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.
  • 2. Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
  • 3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano. Set cheese sauce aside.
  • 4. Fill a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.
  • 5. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.2, Fat 32.7, SaturatedFat 20, Cholesterol 100.3, Sodium 736.4, Carbohydrate 44.6, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.9, Protein 26.1

PERFECT MACARONI AND CHEESE



PERFECT MACARONI AND CHEESE image

Categories     Pasta     Dinner

Yield 12 people

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar
2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated pecorino Romano
1 pound elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • 1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. 2. Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick. 3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano. Set cheese sauce aside. 4. Fill a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce. 5. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.

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