BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Soooo...I'm going to be making dinner for my Dad's B'day this year and he has requested mac and cheese.

Does anyone have a favorite tried and true recipe??

I'm also thinking of making garlic bread and some sort of veggie side.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

I believe it was Hofstra26 who posted an amazing one!!! I will search and bump ot for you...so so so so so goooood!

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Thank you!!!

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Here is our favorite mac and cheese. It's not fancy, just a great basic recipe.

Superbowl Mac and Cheese

2 lb macaroni
4 lbs American Cheese slices
12 cups milk (1/2 gallon + 1 qt 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 or cayenne to taste (scant 1/2 cup or 1 to 1 and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper)

This recipe will fit in a full tray size aluminum pan. (You can easily cut the recipe in half.)

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 macaroni 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.

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

The Pioneer Woman's recipe is amazing

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

I LOVE this one. I make it with medium size shells instead and I pulse the cottage cheese in my Magic Bullet so it's not lumpy. I think I got this recipe from melbernai or tarahutch? Their idea to pulse the cottage cheese.

It is SO amazing.

I serve it as is, but top my own serving with hot sauce. OMG. Delicious.


1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.
2. In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden.

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

I made this recipe and it was very very good!!! And it was easy.

http://www.azestybite.com/2011/08/crack-n-cheese.html


Ingredients:

For the mac
4 oz. elbow macaroni
1/2 tsp salt
2 qts of water

Mix-Ins
4 strips bacon
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Cheese Sauce
4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
3 oz. cream cheese
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt

The finisher (topping)
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tsp paprika

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Bring 2 qts of water to boil and add salt (this is for cooking noodles)
In medium sauce pan cook bacon over medium heat until crisp and then chop up into pieces
Pour all but 1 tablespoon of fat out of pan and brown onions
Add garlic at the end for about 1 minute
Leave a little bit of a crunch to the onions as they will soften once baked in the oven

Cheese Sauce
In 2 quart saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over a low heat
Whisk in the flour after butter melts and cook for 5 minutes or until it turns a straw like color
Slowly add milk while mixing to keep the sauce from getting lumps
Cook for 5-6 mins until it starts to bubble and thicken
Stir in cream cheese until thoroughly mixed
Next, stir in cheddar cheese and seasonings; Turn off heat once mixed in

Macaroni
Pour in macaroni half way through making the sauce so it will be ready when sauce is done
Boil macaroni for about 2/3 the recommended time so it is still slightly chewy (we did 6 minutes)
The macaroni will soften up while it bakes in the oven
Drain the noodles and combine them with cheese sauce, onions and bacon and mix thoroughly
Pour mixture into 2 quart oven safe dish or individual baking dishes
Sprinkle with shredded cheese and paprika
Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until top layer of cheese has browned

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Been making this one for YEARS and it is FANTASTIC! I have made it without the onion also & it's just as good!
Taste of Home - Baked Mac n Cheese

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Patty Labelle's Mac & Cheese

Re: BEST mac and cheese recipe?

Thank you very much! Lots of options here