Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved dish, and it's no surprise that there are countless ways to make it. The good news is that most recipes are simple and use staple ingredients, so you likely already have what you need in your kitchen. The basic steps are to cook the pasta, make a cheese sauce, and combine the two, but there are many ways to customise your mac and cheese. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Colby, and add toppings like breadcrumbs, Parmesan, or vegetables. You can also bake your mac and cheese for a bubbly, golden-brown dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Pasta | Elbow macaroni or any other bite-sized pasta |
| Pasta Cooking Time | 7-8 minutes or 1 minute less than al dente |
| Sauce Base | Butter and flour cooked together to form a roux |
| Sauce Liquid | Milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyère, Fontina, Mozzarella, Gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Colby, Parmesan, Pepper Jack |
| Toppings | Breadcrumbs, Bacon Bits, Paprika, Ritz crackers, Panko |
| Baking Temperature | 325-350°F |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the pasta
Choosing the right pasta is an important step in making macaroni and cheese. While the classic choice is elbow macaroni, any short, tubular pasta will work. This includes rotini, which has been used as a substitute by some home cooks.
When making macaroni and cheese, it is important to cook the pasta to a true al dente, or even slightly less. This is because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven as the dish bakes. Boiling the pasta for one minute less than the package instructions recommend is a good rule of thumb. If you are making a stovetop version of macaroni and cheese, simply follow the package instructions for al dente pasta.
The amount of pasta you use will depend on the recipe you are following and how many people you are serving. A standard box of dried elbow macaroni is one pound, and this quantity is used in several recipes for baked macaroni and cheese. However, the amount of pasta you use may vary depending on the other ingredients in your dish and your personal preference for the ratio of pasta to cheese.
When it comes to baking macaroni and cheese, a 9x13-inch baking dish is commonly used. However, an 8-inch square or similarly sized baking dish can also be used. Greasing the baking dish with butter or olive oil will help to prevent the pasta from sticking and make serving easier.
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Making the sauce
The sauce for macaroni and cheese is a simple roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour cooked together to thicken the sauce. The roux is the base of the sauce and will give it a creamy texture. To make the roux, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Then, add an equal amount of flour and whisk together until the mixture is bubbly and golden. This should take around one to two minutes.
Next, add milk to the roux. It is important to use cold or room-temperature milk to prevent the flour from clumping. Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly, and cook over medium heat until the mixture has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream or gravy. You can use whole milk, half-and-half, or a combination of the two for a creamy sauce. Avoid using low-fat milk as it will not provide the rich flavour and texture you are looking for.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat. This is an important step because you want the sauce to be warm enough to melt the cheese, but not too hot, as this can affect the texture of the sauce. Adding the cheese at the right temperature and stirring just until it melts will ensure a smooth and creamy sauce. You can use cheddar cheese, which is the classic choice, or experiment with other melting cheeses like Gruyère, Fontina, Mozzarella, Gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Colby.
Finally, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add salt and pepper, as well as garlic powder, onion powder, dijon mustard, or hot sauce to enhance the flavour of the sauce.
Now that your sauce is ready, it's time to combine it with the cooked macaroni and any additional ingredients, such as crispy bacon bits or vegetables, before baking it to perfection!
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Adding cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and there are endless ways to make it your own. While cheddar is the most classic choice, you can use any melting cheese or a combination of cheeses. Medium cheddar has more moisture and melts more easily than sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, resulting in a creamier texture. Other cheeses that work well include Gruyère, Fontina, mozzarella, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Colby. You can also add crispy, crumbled bacon to the topping or inside the mac and cheese.
For the perfect cheese sauce, start by making a roux with equal parts butter and flour. Cook the roux until it's golden and begins to smell toasted. Then, slowly whisk in cold milk to prevent the flour from clumping. Continue whisking and cooking until the mixture has thickened. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before gradually adding the shredded cheese. This will ensure that the cheese melts smoothly. You can also add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Dijon mustard to enhance the flavour of the sauce.
When it comes to adding the cheese to the macaroni, there are a few methods you can use. One way is to layer the macaroni and cheese in a baking dish, adding a layer of shredded cheese between each layer of macaroni. Another way is to toss the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring that all the noodles are coated evenly. You can then pour the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle more cheese on top.
If you prefer a crispy cheese crust, you can broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes after baking. Alternatively, you can create a topping by combining breadcrumbs or panko with melted butter and sprinkling it over the macaroni and cheese before baking. You can also mix in ingredients like Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, or crushed crackers for added flavour and texture.
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Baking
Baked mac and cheese is a universal comfort food, and there are endless variations to try out. The baking adds a level of sophistication and gooeyness that you don't get without.
Firstly, preheat your oven to 325-350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish with butter. The size of the dish depends on the number of servings you want to make. For 10 servings, a 9x13-inch dish is suitable. For a smaller batch, an 8-inch square dish is a good option.
Macaroni
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for about 7-8 minutes, or until tender. You can also cook the macaroni for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the macaroni and set it aside. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent the macaroni from sticking together.
Cheese Sauce
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden and bubbly. This is your roux, which will thicken the sauce and add flavour. Whisk in cold milk, not warm, to prevent the flour from clumping. You can use whole milk, half-and-half, or a combination of both. Continue whisking and cooking until the mixture has thickened to a gravy-like consistency. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. This gradual change in temperature will help the cheese melt smoothly. Add shredded cheese to the sauce, and stir until melted. Cheddar is the classic choice, but you can also use Gruyère, Fontina, Mozzarella, Gouda, or a combination of your favourite cheeses.
Assembly
Pour half of the cooked macaroni into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the macaroni. Add the remaining macaroni, and top with more cheese. You can also add crispy, crumbled bacon to the topping or mix it into the mac and cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly. For a crispy, golden cheese crust, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Toppings
For a crunchy topping, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs or panko with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the mac and cheese before baking. You can also add Parmesan and paprika to the topping for extra flavour and colour.
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Toppings
The topping is the star of any macaroni and cheese recipe. The crunchy, golden topping is what takes this dish to the next level. Here are some ideas for toppings to make your macaroni and cheese extraordinary:
Breadcrumbs
A classic option for a topping is breadcrumbs. You can use plain breadcrumbs or get creative and mix in some other ingredients to add extra flavour. Some recipes suggest mixing in Parmesan cheese, olive oil, paprika, and/or melted butter to the breadcrumbs before sprinkling them on top of the macaroni and cheese. This topping will give a crunchy, golden, and buttery finish to your dish.
Panko-Parmesan
For an extra crunchy topping, panko crumbs are a great option. Mix them with Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika for a golden and bubbly finish.
Cheese
You can never have too much cheese! Top your macaroni with extra cheese for that crispy, golden, and bubbly finish.
Crackers
For an easy and pleasing topping, use crackers. This topping will give a crunchy and crispy texture to your macaroni and cheese.
Seasonings
If you want to add a little extra flavour to your topping, consider adding some seasonings. Some options include garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, black pepper, and paprika.
Remember, the key to a great topping is to add crunch and contrast to the soft and cheesy pasta. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect topping combination!
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Frequently asked questions
Medium cheddar cheese is a good option as it has more moisture than other cheddars, so it melts more easily and has a creamier texture. However, you can use any cheese you like, such as gouda, fontina, or a mix of cheeses.
Elbow macaroni is a popular choice for macaroni and cheese, but any bite-sized pasta will work. You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta, or chickpea pasta.
Start by making a roux with butter and flour. Then, slowly add in milk, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Finally, slowly stir in your shredded cheese of choice until it is smooth and melted.
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