Andy Montoya
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food for many, and GFS offers a frozen artisan macaroni and cheese entrée that can be prepared in the oven or microwave. While cooking times may vary, the general steps for preparing this dish include preheating the oven or microwave, removing the tray from the outer carton, cutting a slit in the film, cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and letting the dish stand for a few minutes before serving. For those who prefer to make macaroni and cheese from scratch, there are a few key tips to keep in mind, such as undercooking the pasta to avoid a mushy texture and using freshly grated cheese for a smooth sauce.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right macaroni
Shape and Size
The classic elbow macaroni is the most popular choice for macaroni and cheese. Its short, curved shape is perfect for holding the cheese sauce, resulting in a creamy and indulgent bite every time. However, you can also experiment with other shapes such as penne, cavatappi, or shell pasta. Each shape will give a slightly different texture and visual appeal to your dish.
Type of Wheat
The type of wheat used to make the macaroni can also impact the flavor and texture of your dish. Most macaroni is made from durum wheat, which has a firm texture and a nutty flavor. You can also find whole wheat macaroni, which has a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture due to its higher fiber content. Additionally, there are gluten-free options made from rice, corn, or quinoa flour for those with gluten intolerances or preferences.
Cooking Time
The cooking time of the macaroni is crucial to the overall success of your GFS macaroni and cheese. It is generally recommended to undercook the pasta slightly when making baked pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese. This is because the pasta will continue to cook as it bakes in the oven. By boiling the pasta until it is still quite firm, you prevent it from becoming overcooked, mushy, and unpleasant in the final dish.
Brand and Quality
The brand and quality of the macaroni can also make a difference. GFS offers Artisan Macaroni & Cheese, which is available frozen and can be prepared in the oven or microwave. Choosing a reputable brand that uses high-quality ingredients will ensure that your macaroni and cheese has a great foundation.
In summary, choosing the right macaroni for your GFS macaroni and cheese involves considering the shape and size, type of wheat, cooking time, and brand. Experiment with different options to find your preferred texture and taste, and remember to slightly undercook the pasta to avoid overcooking it during the baking process.
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Preparing the cheese sauce
To prepare the cheese sauce, start by grating your chosen cheese. Using pre-shredded cheese is not recommended as it contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect how smoothly it melts. A variety of cheeses can be used, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild or sharp Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or even Gruyère.
Next, melt some butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in some flour and whisk together, cooking the mixture for about 5 minutes while whisking constantly to avoid burning. Then, pour in milk and add mustard, whisking until smooth. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
At this point, you'll want to reduce the heat to low. Take about a quarter of a cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into a separate bowl containing a beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the egg. This process of tempering the egg will allow you to add it back into the sauce without it scrambling.
Now, it's time to add the cheese. To avoid a grainy sauce, add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until it melts before adding more. Keep the burner on low heat throughout this process.
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Combining the macaroni and sauce
To combine the macaroni and sauce, start by cooking the macaroni until it is very firm and still too firm to eat. This is important as the macaroni will continue to cook when baked in the oven. Drain the macaroni. Next, melt butter in a large pot and sprinkle in flour. Whisk the mixture over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, ensuring it doesn't burn. Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. To temper the egg, take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into a beaten egg, whisking constantly. This will prevent the egg from cooking.
Now, you can combine the egg mixture with the sauce in the pot, whisking constantly. The sauce should be on low heat. To combine the sauce and macaroni, start by adding a handful of freshly grated cheese to the pot, stirring until it melts before adding more cheese. This will ensure a smooth sauce. Keep adding cheese and stirring until you achieve your desired cheese sauce consistency. Finally, add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir until well combined.
You can also add other ingredients to the sauce, such as mustard, for added flavour. Additionally, feel free to mix different types of cheese to create a unique flavour profile. Some popular options include Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Gruyère. You can also simply use sharp Cheddar. Just remember to always use freshly grated cheese and add it gradually to the sauce, stirring constantly, to achieve a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.
Once you've combined the macaroni and sauce, you can either bake it in the oven or microwave it. If baking, top the dish with an extra layer of cheese to create a crispy top and help hold in the moisture. Just be careful not to overbake, so the macaroni doesn't dry out. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If using a microwave, follow the instructions provided, including making a slit in the film to vent and adjusting the cooking time as needed.
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Baking the dish
To cook GFS macaroni and cheese, you should follow the package instructions for the best results. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the tray from the outer carton and place it on a baking sheet. Cut a 2-inch slit in the film to vent. Place the tray on the middle oven rack and cook for 45-55 minutes. Remove the film for the last 10 minutes of cooking time. Using pot holders, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the dish stand for 5 minutes. Stir before serving.
For food safety, it is important to cook the dish to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be measured using a food thermometer in several spots. Do not reheat unused portions in the tray.
If you are making macaroni and cheese from scratch, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you must undercook the pasta before baking it in the oven. This is because the pasta will continue to cook as the dish bakes. Boil the pasta until it is still quite firm. Drain the pasta and set it aside. To avoid a grainy cheese sauce, use freshly grated cheese and stir it into the pasta a handful at a time over low heat.
The secret to baked mac and cheese is a crispy top with a creamy, soft bottom. To achieve this, add an extra layer of cheese on top before baking. This helps to hold in the moisture. Be careful not to bake it for too long, so the macaroni doesn't dry out. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also cover the dish with foil and refrigerate it unbaked for up to two days. When you're ready to bake, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes beforehand to knock off the chill, and adjust the cooking time as needed.
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Serving suggestions
GFS Macaroni and Cheese can be served as a main course or a side dish. If serving as a main, a simple side salad of mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, and a vinaigrette dressing would complement the richness of the macaroni and cheese. Alternatively, a crisp, green vegetable such as asparagus or green beans could be served alongside.
For a heartier meal, GFS Macaroni and Cheese could be served with garlic bread or crusty bread to dip into the sauce. A simple, green salad would also help to balance the meal.
As a side dish, GFS Macaroni and Cheese would pair well with grilled or barbecued meats, such as chicken or pork chops. The creamy cheese sauce could also be a good contrast to a crisp, breaded chicken cutlet.
For a more indulgent meal, GFS Macaroni and Cheese could be served with a rich, meaty dish such as a stew or casserole. The cheese sauce could also be adapted to include stronger, more mature cheeses to complement such a dish.
Finally, GFS Macaroni and Cheese could form part of a larger spread of comfort foods or finger foods, such as at a buffet or potluck. In this case, it could be served alongside other dishes such as chili, lasagna, or meatball subs, with a simple green salad to balance the richer dishes.
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