Best Stretchy Mac And Cheese Recipes

STRETCHY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Set a large pasta pot of heavily salted water over high heat to come to a boil.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour to make a roux. Stir the roux well so that it cooks evenly and turns a golden blond. Whisk in the cream and milk a little at a time, so there are no lumps. Add the garlic, whole sprigs of thyme, and bay leaves.
• Simmer over medium heat, stirring ocassionally to prevent the bottom of the pot from scorching until it thickens, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling water according to the package directions. Drain.
• Mix the sauce with the cooked pasta. Immediately add the cheese and mix well so the heat and motion melt and stretch the cheese through the pasta. Transfer to a baking dish (I spray mine with cooking spray to prevent sticking) and top with the breadcrumbs. Cover with foil.
• Bake approximately 40 minutes until warmed through and the cheese has melted. Remove the foil and switch the oven over to broil for the final 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the chives.
• Enjoy.

OLD-FASHIONED MACARONI AND CHEESE

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.

THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER

Steps:

• Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
• Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
• Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
• Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.