Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food, and Goldbelly offers a variety of options for those who want to enjoy it without the hassle of cooking. Raffetto's Pasta, for example, ships its famous extra-rich and velvety mac and cheese nationwide. With a blend of sharp cheddar and American cheese coating their homemade macaroni, Raffetto's has built a reputation for delivering fresh and flavorful food. For those who prefer a more soupy version, Blount's Family Kitchen Soups offers their own spin on Goldbelly. While homemade mac and cheese can be a labour of love, involving béchamel sauces and careful baking, Goldbelly's options are perfect for those seeking convenience without compromising on taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Macaroni preparation | Boil the macaroni until firm, but not edible. |
| Cheese type | Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Mild Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Gruyère, Sharp Cheddar, American Cheese |
| Sauce preparation | Melt butter, add flour, milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and cheese. |
| Baking | Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes. |
| Storage | Refrigerate immediately and consume within 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Preparing the pasta
Different types of pasta can be used, depending on preference. Raffetto's Pasta, for instance, uses house-made macaroni for their extra-rich and velvety mac and cheese. They have been making fresh pasta since 1906 and are known for their fresh egg noodles.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, it is time to prepare the cheese sauce. This typically involves creating a béchamel sauce, which is a French milk sauce thickened with a roux of flour and butter. The milk is added slowly, stirring constantly, to avoid lumps. The sauce is then seasoned and thickened before the cheese is added.
A variety of cheeses can be used, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Gruyère. It is recommended to use freshly grated cheese to achieve a smooth melt. The cheese is added in handfuls, stirring constantly, until it is fully melted and combined with the sauce.
At this point, the cooked pasta can be stirred into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated. This completes the preparation of the pasta for the Goldbelly macaroni and cheese.
Delicious Wisconsin Cheese Soup: Frozen to Hot in Minutes
You may want to see also
Making the sauce
Macaroni and cheese is a delicious comfort food, and making the sauce is a key part of the process. Here is a detailed guide to achieving the perfect sauce for your Goldbelly macaroni and cheese.
Firstly, melt some butter in a large pot or saucepan. The amount of butter you use is up to you, but a typical recipe might call for around a stick of butter. Next, sprinkle in some flour and cook, whisking or stirring constantly, until the mixture is blonde, golden, or slightly golden. This usually takes around 2-5 minutes. You want to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency.
Now it's time to add the milk. Pour in the milk slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Warming the milk slightly before adding it can help speed up this process. Keep cooking the mixture until it is thick and bubbly, which should take about 2-5 minutes. You can also add some mustard, mustard powder, onion, bay leaf, and paprika at this stage for extra flavour. If you are using bay leaf, remember to remove it before moving on to the next step.
The next step is to add the cheese. Take the pot off the heat first to avoid the sauce separating. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild or sharp Cheddar, Gruyère, or Pepper Jack. Add the cheese in handfuls, stirring until it melts before adding more. You can briefly return the pot to low heat if you need help melting the cheese. Continue until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Finally, taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper as needed. You can also add a beaten egg to the sauce at this point, slowly whisking it in to avoid cooking the egg. Now your sauce is ready to be combined with the macaroni!
Oven-Baked Frozen Cheesy Treats: Quick, Easy, Delicious
You may want to see also
Combining the pasta and sauce
To combine the pasta and sauce for Goldbelly macaroni and cheese, follow these steps:
Firstly, undercook the pasta. Boil the pasta until it is still firm, testing a noodle about five minutes into the cooking process. Drain the pasta when it is too firm to eat. This is an important step as the pasta will fully cook as the macaroni and cheese bake in the oven, and overcooked pasta can become mushy and unpleasant.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a separate pot and whisk in flour and mustard, stirring for about five minutes and ensuring it is free of lumps. Add in milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika, and simmer for ten minutes. Remove the bay leaf. You can then temper in the egg and stir in most of the cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper. The cheese sauce should be thick and bubbly. If you are having trouble getting your cheese to melt, return the pot to low heat for a few seconds.
Now, you can combine the pasta and sauce. Take the cheese sauce off the heat and stir in the macaroni until every noodle is coated. You can then pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.
For an extra crispy topping, melt butter in a pan and toss breadcrumbs to coat, then sprinkle on top of the macaroni and cheese before baking.
Frying Cheese: A Quick, Easy, and Delicious Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter a baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray. You can use a 9x13-inch baking dish or a similar size. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the macaroni and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This should take around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk it into the melted butter, cooking the mixture for about 2 minutes until it forms a paste. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring that no lumps form. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce comes to a low boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and add the cheese. Stir the mixture until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce, stirring gently to ensure all the pasta is coated. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. At this point, you can choose to add some optional toppings. Some grated cheddar cheese, buttered breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers on top will add a crispy, golden layer to your mac and cheese.
Bake the dish for about 20-25 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbling. If you want a deeper golden color and extra crispness, turn on the broiler and broil the dish for a few minutes, watching it carefully to ensure it doesn't burn. Finally, remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it cool down for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade, baked Goldbelly macaroni and cheese!
Goat Cheese Cooking: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Storing leftovers
Firstly, it is important to note that this dish can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three to five days if stored correctly. To store, cover the dish tightly or place it in an airtight container. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat an individual portion in the microwave or, for larger servings, cover the baking dish with foil and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.
You can also freeze leftovers for up to two months. To freeze, wrap the dish tightly or place it in an airtight container. When you are ready to enjoy your frozen leftovers, defrost overnight in the refrigerator or for 2-3 hours at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the mac and cheese from its container, and place it in a small baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until hot throughout.
If you want to prepare your mac and cheese ahead of time and then bake it later, follow these simple steps: prepare the dish up until the fourth step of your recipe, then cover it in your baking dish and refrigerate (or freeze). When you are ready to serve, add your cheese and breadcrumb topping, bake, and enjoy! If baking from frozen, be sure to thaw it first, as mentioned above.
Easy Philly Cheese Steak: Frozen Meat, Great Taste
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If your Goldbelly mac and cheese has been frozen, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or for 2-3 hours at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 300°. Remove the mac and cheese from its container and place it in a small baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes or until hot throughout.
Leftover mac and cheese will stay good for up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover a larger portion with foil and bake in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes.
Goldbelly mac and cheese typically includes a blend of yellow sharp cheddar and American cheese. However, you can mix different types of cheese such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild cheddar, or pepper jack.
For a crispy top on your mac and cheese, add a topping of breadcrumbs before baking. This will give it a golden, crispy texture that contrasts with the soft, cheesy pasta underneath.
To avoid overcooking the pasta, make sure you undercook it. Boil the pasta until it is still quite firm, then drain it. The pasta will fully cook as the macaroni and cheese bakes in the oven.
