Supreme Macaroni Cheese Recipes

MOM'S MACARONI SUPREME

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions however cook until al-dente- or approximately 2 minutes less that it says to cook. Drain noodles. Do not rinse.
• Take a 9x13" pan and butter well. Sprinkle parmesean cheese on bottom of pan and set pan aside.
• Heat half and half, milk, butter and salt together over medium heat until hot. DO NOT BOIL. ( A non-stick pot is great so that the milk won't stick and burn on the bottom.) Take out 1 cup of the milk / butter mixture and set aside.
• Stir pasta into hot milk mixture and cook over medium heat until pasta and milk thickens, about 20 minutes.
• Pour pasta into prepared pan. Drizzle the reserved 1 cup milk mixture over top. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
• Bake at 400' for 25 minutes or until top is beginning to brown and it is bubbly.
• Cut into squares and scoop out to serve.

SUPREME MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
• In a Dutch oven, combine milk, 1 cup cream, butter, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add pasta; cook for 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; add 1 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. (Or, you can simply have already boiled pasta and then add the cooked and drained pasta into the cream mixture, and then stir in the Parmesan cheese. You can also add a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, if you desire). (You can also substitute the pasta for peeled and cut cooked potatoes for a lovely scalloped or au gratin potatoes).
• Spoon pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. (Stir in chunks of cooked ham, if desired). Pour remaining 1 cup cream over pasta. Top with remaining 1 cup Parmesan cheese (and some shredded cheddar cheese, too, if you wish). Evenly sprinkle parsley and paprika over top of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned and bubbly.

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.

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.