Michael Symons Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

MAC AND "CHEESE"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat a large pan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the cauliflower and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the water or stock, bring to a simmer and simmer until everything is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the nutmeg. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
• Toss the pasta with the puree in a medium bowl. Transfer to a baking dish and top with the breadcrumbs, herbs and dairy-free Parmesan. Bake until warmed through and the breadcrumbs are toasted, 3 to 5 minutes.

SMOKY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente, then drain and set aside.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat. Heat a deep 12-inch cast-iron skillet over direct heat.
• Combine the cream, paprika, cayenne and hot sauce if using in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the cream mixture is reduced by half and thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese and Gouda until fully melted. Stir in the ham and cooked pasta and continue to mix until fully combined.
• Stir together the panko, pecorino and scallions if using in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Move the skillet to indirect heat, cover the grill and cook until golden brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
• (Alternatively, you can make the mac and cheese in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on a stovetop over medium-high heat, then top with the panko mixture and bake in a 400 degrees F oven for 10 minutes.)

CREAMY DAIRY-FREE STOVE TOP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shells and cook 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
• For the dairy-free Parmesan: In the bowl of a food processor, add the cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder and salt. Pulse until the consistency is a fine crumb. It will resemble freshly grated Parmesan.
• For the vegan cheese sauce: In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the garlic and sweat for a minute or 2, until aromatic. Whisk in the flour until a sandy mixture forms. Slowly whisk in the cashew milk and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Cook while whisking constantly until thickened, 3 minutes. Whisk in the Dairy-Free Parmesan and hot sauce and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the pasta and taste for seasoning. Serve.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with paprika salt and pepper and set aside. Heat olive oil in large saute pan and place chicken in it browning on both sides. Place in 400-degree oven for 8 to10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool then dice into large pieces. Heat cream in large saucepan, add herbs, salt, and pepper and reduce by half. Add the cooked rigatoni, cheese and cooked chicken and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

MARSALA AND MUSHROOM PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the direct heat side of the grill and cook the pasta 3 minutes less than the package directions. Place a large sauté pan over the direct heat side of the grill. Add the butter and once melted, add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for 1 minute so the mushrooms soak up some of the butter. Then add the onions, garlic and thyme. Stir and cook until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are slightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the flour, coating all of the vegetables. Deglaze the pan with the marsala, smoothing out any lumps. Stir in the vegetable stock and milk. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and bring to a simmer.
• Add the cooked pasta, parsley and mushroom marsala mixture to an extra-large mixing bowl. Mix to combine well, then transfer back to the sauté pan. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan. Place the sauté pan on the indirect heat side of the grill, close the grill with the lid and bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown in some spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the grill and serve!