best homemade mac and cheese recipe

Food network has at least 10 different kinds on their website. I was debating making this for Thanksgiving. Any tried and true?

Re: best homemade mac and cheese recipe

I have made this countless times. It is always a crowd-pleaser, and is delicious, but won't overpower your other dishes. This qty will fit in a full tray size aluminum pan, so it serves a lot of people, probably 15+. You can easily cut it in half or ¼)
I included my notes!

Mac and Cheese
2 lb macaroni
4 lbs American Cheese slices
12 cups milk (I have used whole or 2%)
4 cups fresh buttered breadcrumbs (about 1 loaf Italian bread or 1 bag hot dog/burger rolls,
and about 6-8 tblsp melted butter)
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 cup flour
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
hot sauce to taste (scant 1/2 cup or 1 to 1 1/2 tsp cayenne)

Grease aluminum tray or coat with non-stick spray.
Melt butter in a large pot that will hold 12+ cups liquid.
Add flour, salt and pepper, and blend.
Add milk slowly on low-medium heat until sauce thickens. It is really important to do this slowly.(I have found that it helps to warm the milk 2 cups at a time in the microwave.)
Add cheese to sauce slowly, stirring constantly until cheese has melted. Make sure heat is not too high. This will scorch/stick.
Add hot sauce or cayenne to taste.

Cook macaroni according to package. Do not overcook.
Drain macaroni & place in greased pan.
Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and top with breadcrumbs.

Bake in a moderate oven (350) at least 30 minutes, or until crumbs are browned.

best homemade mac and cheese recipe

I use Martha Stewarts recipe. Delicious and faintly simple.

http://www.marthastewart.com/271998/perfect-macaroni-and-cheese

Message edited 11/4/2014 10:10:30 PM.

Re: best homemade mac and cheese recipe

Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese

So tangy and creamy.. I don't do the breadcrumb/butter topping. Pretty easy recipe too.

best homemade mac and cheese recipe

Pioneer woman recipe

She's all about making the roux.

best homemade mac and cheese recipe

I always just make a bechamel mixture and then add into it any shredded cheeses I feel like.

Pour over undercooked pasta and bake (add some shredded to the top)

Fontina, Asiago, Mozzarella

Sharp and Mild cheddars mixture

Smoked Gouda and Fontina with crumbled bacon

Cheddar and Blue with chives