Aunties Mac Cheese Recipes

AUNTIE'S MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt four tablespoons of the butter.
• Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. All the time, whisking it so it will not burn.
• Add the milk in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil.
• Add mustard, cayenne and salt and pepper to taste and simmer sauce until thickened, about two minutes.
• In a kettle (I used a large pot) of salted boiling water, cook macaroni until just al dente, about 7 minutes and drain well.
• In a large bowl, stir together, macaroni, sauce, cheddar, and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Transfer to a buttered shallow baking dish.
• In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs, paprika and the remaining Parmesan cheese with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter, melted.
• Scatter evenly over the macaroni and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

QUICKEST MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the heavy cream, cream cheese and garlic salt in a medium cast-iron skillet over high heat. As the edges start to bubble, gently whisk the cream cheese until it is evenly incorporated into the heavy cream, about 1 minute. Allow to cook for 15 seconds so the mixture thickens. Add the Cheddar and American cheese and continue whisking. Pour the sauce over the pasta, stir and serve immediately!

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
• Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
• Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
• Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

CLASSIC MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Melt the butter in the bottom of an oven-proof fry pan. Add the flour and stir over heat until just beginning to brown - don't let it get too brown. Take it off the heat and stir in about 1 cup of milk until the butter and flour mixture is fully incorporated. Put it back on the heat and simmer until just beginning to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the milk; stir to fully incorporate.
• Add all of the cheeses and stir to melt. Once melted, add the cooked macaroni. Stir to mix.
• Cover the top of the mac and cheese with panko crumbs and place the pan in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is bubbling and the bread crumbs are slightly browned.

AUNTIE'S AWESOME BAKED MAC N' CHEESE (LIGHT)

Steps:

• In large saucepan, combine first four ingredients; stir in milk. Add butter; stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minutes. *This is very important but make sure you don't burn the milk or else you will get an undesirable smoky taste to your dish!* Remove from heat.
• Stir in 4 coups cheese until melted. Add elbows. Pour into lightly greased 9x13 casserole.
• Coarsely shred bread in food processor, then mix crumbs with the remaining cup of cheese. Spread over top of macaroni.
• Bake uncovered in 375 degree oven for 25-40 minutes until browned to desired doneness.
• Enjoy! Makes great leftovers!
• *Cheese should be 3 Cups Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar and 2 Cups Reduced Fat Mexican Four Cheese Blend.