SPAM MACARONI AND CHEESE
This decadent yet simple recipe pairs creamy macaroni and cheese with crispy, salty-sweet diced Spam for a dish that bridges Puerto Rico and the South. It's much quicker than most homemade macaroni and cheese recipes (which often require making a roux and cream sauce), without sacrificing texture or flavor. It is also incredibly adaptable, because it will work with most cheeses. If you have the time and the will, sprinkle the finished macaroni with extra cheese and bake under a low broil for 5 to 10 minutes until toasted. During tough times, a box of instant mac and cheese and a can of Spam will also yield delicious results.
Provided by Von Diaz
Categories dinner, casseroles, meat, noodles, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven.
- Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high, then add Spam and fry for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the meat is evenly browned and crispy. (Feel free to taste along the way until the Spam reaches your desired crispness.) Remove from heat until ready to use.
- Once water has come to a rolling boil, add a fistful of salt, then stir in the macaroni. Cook according to package instructions, stirring several times, until al dente, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain the noodles in a large colander, then rinse the noodles and the pot with lukewarm water.
- Return pot to stovetop over medium heat and add 2 cups milk. While the milk is warming, combine remaining 1 cup milk and the flour in a medium bowl and whisk together until there are no lumps. Once the milk starts to steam, whisk in the milk-and-flour mixture, and continue to whisk gently until a béchamel forms as thick as plain yogurt, about 12 minutes.
- Once the sauce is thickened, reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in 4 cups shredded cheese until fully melted. Add white and black pepper, then season to taste with salt.
- Off heat, add Spam and cooked macaroni, and fold a dozen or so times until thoroughly mixed.
- Serve immediately, passing the extra cheese at the table, or transfer the macaroni to a casserole, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake under low broil until toasted on top, about 5 to 10 minutes.
THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
A blend of three cheeses delivers a punch of flavor in this creamy mac and cheese. Toasted breadcrumbs give a crunchy texture contrast.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just slightly softened, about 6 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
- Meanwhile, remove the crusts from the bread and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pulse in the food processor until the bread breaks into bean-sized pieces.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until toasted, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, mustard powder and cayenne. Cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to boil and thicken, about 7 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the fontina, Gruyere and all but 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar until fully melted. Stir in the pasta, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to make a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Brush a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with the melted butter. Spread the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar evenly over the pasta, then scatter the toasted breadcrumbs on top. Bake until heated through and just bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
OLD-FASHIONED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Bring back the taste of days gone by with this ooey-gooey mac-and-cheese classic. A little ground mustard and hot pepper sauce give it just the right spice. -James Backman, Centralia, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner Side Dishes
Time 1h
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni in boiling water until almost tender; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard, pepper and pepper sauce until smooth. Cook for 1 minute or until bubbly. Stir in the macaroni, milk and 4 cups cheese. , Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
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