Andy Montoya
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food with a rich history. The dish has evolved over the centuries, with various recipes and cooking methods. While the traditional version involves baking macaroni and cheese sauce in a casserole dish, modern interpretations include boxed mixes, frozen meals, and even canned options. Macaroni and cheese has also inspired creative variations, such as the addition of jalapeño poppers, French onion, or lobster. The choice of cheese is paramount, with cheddar being a popular option, but other cheeses like Gruyère, Colby Jack, and Monterey Jack also finding their way into recipes. With its versatile nature and widespread popularity, macaroni and cheese has solidified its place as a staple comfort food.
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What You'll Learn
Stovetop mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. It can be prepared in a sauce pan on top of the stove, or baked in the oven.
To make stovetop mac and cheese, start by boiling the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain the macaroni and set it aside. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour. Cook this mixture for 1-2 minutes, then add milk or cream, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and add seasonings, such as mustard powder and hot sauce.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add shredded cheese, stirring continuously until a smooth sauce forms. Common cheese choices include sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, Gruyere, and Fontina, though any melty, flavorful cheese can be used. Finally, add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
For a looser sauce, additional milk can be added. Stovetop mac and cheese is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Baked mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. The traditional macaroni and cheese is baked in the oven; however, it may be prepared in a sauce pan on top of the stove. The earliest known recipe for baked mac and cheese was published in Eliza Acton's 1845 cookbook, Modern Cookery in All Its Branches. Acton's recipe calls for "any rich, well-flavoured white cheese", cream, salt, Cayenne pepper, mace, and butter.
There are numerous variations of baked mac and cheese, but most recipes include a combination of cheeses, layered in the dish and melted into a rich and creamy sauce. The type of cheese used can vary depending on preference, but popular options include cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella, Gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Colby. It is recommended to shred the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese, as this will result in a smoother sauce.
In addition to cheese, other common ingredients in baked mac and cheese include butter, milk, eggs, and dry mustard. The pasta used is typically elbow macaroni or another tubular pasta, cooked until slightly less than al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. To add texture and flavour, some recipes include a topping, such as breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or a combination of Panko, Parmesan, butter, and paprika.
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Vegan mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish worldwide, with many variations. The traditional recipe includes macaroni covered in a cheese sauce, commonly a cheddar sauce, and baked in the oven. However, there are now numerous types of mac and cheese, including vegan options.
To prepare vegan mac and cheese, you can follow a similar process as the traditional recipe. Start by cooking the macaroni in salted water until it reaches an al dente texture. For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free macaroni. Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce by melting vegan butter in a pot over medium heat. Add gluten-free flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add vegan milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Let the mixture simmer to thicken, then add salt, pepper, and vegan cheese. Vegan cheese may take longer to melt, so be sure to stir patiently.
For a creamier sauce, some recipes suggest blending raw cashews with water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and vegan cheese. This creates a smooth and creamy base for your mac and cheese. Additionally, you can enhance the flavour by adding dijon mustard, onion powder, smoked paprika, or other spices.
To make your vegan mac and cheese even more indulgent, consider topping it with toasted breadcrumbs. Simply melt some vegan butter and mix it with breadcrumbs before sprinkling them over the dish. You can also add vegetables, such as roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or broccoli, to make it a more well-rounded meal.
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Boxed mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. The earliest known iteration of boxed macaroni and cheese came from a salesman in St. Louis, Missouri, named Grant Leslie. Leslie used rubber bands to attach processed cheese produced by Kraft Foods to boxes of pasta to increase pasta sales. In the early 1900s, Kraft introduced boxed macaroni and cheese, which became a cheap way to feed a family and a comfort food staple.
There are also various types of boxed mac and cheese to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. For example, vegan, deluxe, cauliflower, white cheddar, and organic options are available. Some brands that offer boxed mac and cheese include Annie's, Trader Joe's, Great Value, Cabot's, and Kroger.
When choosing a boxed mac and cheese, factors such as the consistency and flavour of the sauce, the bite and shape of the noodle, and visual appeal may be considered. While some prefer the convenience of boxed options, others may opt for making stovetop macaroni and cheese from scratch using a béchamel sauce and gooey cheese, also known as a mornay sauce.
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Crockpot mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a traditional pasta dish that has evolved over the years, with several variations now available. While the traditional recipe calls for macaroni, cheese, and butter, baked in a hot oven, the dish has seen many adaptations, including boxed mixes, frozen varieties, and even canned and microwavable options. One such variation is Crockpot Mac and Cheese, a slow-cooked version of the classic comfort food.
The ingredients for Crockpot Mac and Cheese include uncooked pasta, milk, cheese, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Some recipes may also call for eggs, dry mustard, or a combination of different types of cheese such as cheddar, colby, monterey jack, fontina, pepper jack, or gruyère. It's important to note that pre-shredded cheese is not ideal, as it doesn't melt as smoothly as freshly grated cheese.
The cooking process for Crockpot Mac and Cheese typically involves combining the ingredients in a slow cooker and cooking on low heat for one to three hours, depending on the recipe. It's essential to resist the temptation to turn up the heat, as this can lead to overcooking. Instead, it's recommended to stir the mixture occasionally and check on it at regular intervals. The result is a creamy, smooth, and velvety mac and cheese that is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
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Frequently asked questions
There are numerous types of macaroni and cheese, with different recipes using a variety of cheeses, ingredients, and cooking methods.
Here are some examples of different types of macaroni and cheese:
- Baked mac and cheese with a mornay sauce, cheddar, and Monterey jack.
- Mac and cheese with whole milk, sharp white cheddar, and provolone.
- French onion mac and cheese.
- Queso mac and cheese.
- Bacon and pimento mac and cheese.
- Cacio e pepe mac and cheese.
- Lobster mac and cheese.
Some unique or creative types of macaroni and cheese include:
- Butternut squash mac and cheese.
- Campfire mac and cheese.
- Mac and cheese jalapeño poppers.
- Macaroni and cheese with gruyere and mustard powder.
- Vegan mac and cheese.
Some traditional types of macaroni and cheese include:
- Eliza Acton's "Macaroni a la Reine" from her 1845 cookbook, which uses cream, white cheese, Cayenne pepper, mace, and butter.
- Mary Randolph's recipe from the 1824 cookbook "The Virginia House-Wife", which uses macaroni, cheese, and butter, layered and baked in a hot oven.
- Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni), a traditional Swiss dish made with macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and sometimes potatoes.
Some popular brands of packaged or frozen macaroni and cheese include:
- Boston Market.
- Michelina's.
- Kraft Foods.
- Cracker Barrel.
- Stouffer's.
