Mac And Cheese My Way Recipes

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

MAC AND CHEESE - MY WAY

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender, but firm. Drain well. Preheat the broiler. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Remove and toss 1 tablespoon of the butter with the bread crumbs. Reserve. Add the flour to the remaining butter, whisking for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk and broth. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Add green onions. Whisk 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat or keep on very, very low
• heat. Add half of the cheese, stirring until smooth. Add remaining cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Add the macaroni to the sauce and stir well. Spoon into a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with the buttered crumbs. Broil until the crumbs brown, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately. (If you wish, the mixture can be prepared before broiling up to several hours ahead and refrigerated. You may need to stir in a little more milk or broth if it thickens to much. Then bake, covered, for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Uncover, and bake about I0 minutes more until crumbs are browned and casserole is hot and bubbly.)
• IDEAS FOR LIVENING UP BOXED MAC AND CHEESE
• Stir in chopped pasta-ready canned tomatoes and chopped fresh basil (Italian)
• Stir in a can of chopped green chiles and a teaspoon of chili powder (Mexican)
• Stir in a can of drained water-packed tuna fish, a small can of olives, and some chopped fresh herb such as parsley, basil, thyme, tarragon, sage, or chives
• Stir in leftover bits of cooked vegies (broccoli or corn) or deli meats (ham or smoked turkey or salami