Super Deluxe Macaroni And Cheese With Variations Recipes

DELUXE MACARONI 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, garlic salt and pepper. Add cheddar cheese; mix well. Add macaroni and stir until coated. , Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.

SUPER MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 2-quart casserole; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and celery and saute for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are very soft. Lower the heat and stir in the flour until well incorporated. Whisk in the hot half-and-half and then the wine. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture has begun to thicken. Remove from the heat and beat in the cheeses, stirring until they have melted into the sauce.
• Stir in the macaroni and season, to taste, with hot sauce and salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole.
• If using the Parmesan, combine it with the bread crumbs in a small bowl. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the macaroni. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden. Serve hot.

SUPER DELUXE OLD FASHIONED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a non-reactive saucepan. When bubbly whisk in flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring every now and then. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking on occasion for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat and whisk in grated cheese. Stir vigorously just until cheese has melted. Then whisk in heavy cream to adjust the texture and season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper. In a mixing bowl combine sauce with sun dried tomatoes and drained macaroni and adjust seasoning. Transfer mixture to a 13 x 9-inch baking pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and dot with remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Bake until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

SUPER DELUXE MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While the water is heating, grate the cheese with a rotary grater and set it aside.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until it is barely tender, about 7 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again.
• Melt 4 Tablespoons of the butter in a non-reactive medium size saucepan over medium heat. When it is bubbly, whisk in the flour and cook for a few seconds, just until it is combined. Whisk thoroughly so you gather all the flour into the butter. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly so the flour paste absorbs the milk without creating lumps. When about half the milk has been added, you can add the rest at a faster rate, but continue to whisk constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly but not frantically. When it reaches the boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, still whisking occasionally, until the sauce is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the grated cheese; whisk vigorously until the cheese has melted. Then whisk in the heavy cream, and season to taste with salt and cayenne.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sauce with the drained macaroni. Transfer the mixture to a 13x9 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top, and dot with the remaining 4 Tablespoons butter. Bake until it is hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• VARIATIONS:
• Ham, Macaroni, and Cheese: Fold in 1/4 pound diced smoked ham, or 2 ounces finely chopped prosciutto, when you combine the macaroni with the cheese sauce in step 5.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Macaroni and Cheese: Fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped sun dried tomatoes when you combine the macaroni with the cheese sauce in step 5.
• Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese: Fold in 1 cup diced cooked vegetables, such as carrots, when you combine the macaroni with the cheese sauce in step 5.
• Macaroni and Multi-cheeses: Instead of the plain Cheddar, use a combination of cheeses; Cheddar and Parmesan; Asiago, Cheddar, and smoked mozzarella; Cheddar, Fontina, chevre, and Parmesan; or another outrageously rich mixture.
• Note: This tends to dry out when reheated the following day, so it is best to reheat it, covered, in a microwave. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
• Monday to Friday Pasta.