Bushra Griffith
Macaroni cheese is a simple, tasty, and comforting dish that can be served as a meal on its own or as a side. The recipe is straightforward: cook macaroni pasta, make a cheese sauce, and then bake it in the oven. The cheese sauce is made by creating a roux—a mixture of butter and flour—which is then combined with milk and grated cheese. The type of cheese can vary, with cheddar being a popular choice, but other melting cheeses like Gruyère or Fontina can be used. The dish is baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a crispy top and a soft, creamy interior.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
How to cook macaroni
To cook macaroni for macaroni and cheese, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dried pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente. You can also boil the pasta for between 4 and 8 minutes, testing a noodle after 5 minutes to see if it's too firm to eat. If it is, it's time to drain the pasta. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and you don't want it to get mushy.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking. You can also toss the cooked macaroni with butter or grated cheese to prevent clumping.
If you're not using the macaroni right away, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
When you're ready to assemble your macaroni and cheese, preheat the oven to 325–350 degrees F and grease a baking dish. Then, it's time to make the cheese sauce.
Mac and Cheese: Bake or No Bake?
You may want to see also
How to make a roux
A roux is a mixture of butter and flour, cooked together to form a paste. It is used as a thickening agent and sauce base in many types of cooking. To make a roux for macaroni cheese, follow these steps:
First, heat a saucepan on medium heat. Add cubed butter and melt. Once melted, add in flour, salt, and pepper. Use a spatula or whisk to mix until the flour absorbs all the butter and forms a thick, uniform paste. Break up any clumps with your whisk or spatula to ensure that the mixture is smooth.
Next, slowly add in your liquid. This can be milk or coconut milk, and it should be at room temperature or heated gently if taken straight from the fridge. Add the liquid a little at a time, ensuring that each addition is fully absorbed before adding more. Keep adding the liquid and stirring continuously until the roux becomes creamy.
For a darker roux, cook the mixture for a further 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously, until the colour gets slightly darker. This will create a richer flavour.
Once you have achieved the desired colour and consistency, you can begin to add the cheese. It is important that the roux is not too hot when you add the cheese, as this can cause the fats to separate from the solids. Slowly add in your shredded cheddar, a handful at a time, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted before adding more. Season with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice, such as hot sauce or smoked paprika.
Your roux is now ready to be used as a base for your macaroni cheese sauce! Simply add cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Mac and Cheese: Butter or No Butter?
You may want to see also
How to make cheese sauce
Cheese sauce is a great addition to many dishes, from macaroni and cheese to nachos and vegetables. It is easy to make and can be prepared in under 10 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious, creamy cheese sauce.
Ingredients:
- Butter (unsalted)
- Flour (all-purpose)
- Milk (whole milk or half-and-half)
- Cheese (Cheddar, Colby jack, mozzarella, provolone, or similar melting cheeses)
- Salt (optional)
- Pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The amount of butter and flour you use will depend on how thick you want your sauce to be. A good rule of thumb is to use equal parts butter and flour, typically around 2 tablespoons each.
- Once the butter has melted, add the flour and cook, whisking continuously, until a paste forms. This mixture is called a roux and serves as a thickening agent for your sauce. Cook the roux until it reaches a golden colour.
- Slowly add milk to the roux, whisking continuously, until fully incorporated and smooth. Be careful not to let the milk burn. You can use a combination of milk and half-and-half for extra creaminess.
- Add salt and pepper to the mixture, if desired.
- Now, it's time to add the cheese! Grate your cheese fresh, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as smoothly. Gradually add the cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously, until it is fully melted and combined. The amount of cheese you add can be adjusted to your preference, but a typical ratio is 2 cups of cheese to 1 cup of milk.
- Continue stirring the cheese sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- Finally, remove the sauce from the heat. Keep in mind that cheese sauce can become clumpy or stringy if overheated, so it's important to take it off the heat as soon as the cheese is melted.
And there you have it! A delicious, creamy cheese sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes or enjoyed as a dip. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and add your favourite seasonings to make it your own. Enjoy!
Mac and Cheese: Nutritional Value and Health Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$15.85 $17.25
How to assemble and bake
To assemble your macaroni cheese, start by cooking your macaroni. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add your macaroni, cooking according to the packet instructions, but for 2-5 minutes less than the recommended time. This is because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven and you don't want it to become mushy. Drain the pasta once cooked.
Next, prepare your cheese sauce. Shred your cheese—cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use gruyere, gouda, smoked gouda, swiss, monterey jack, colby jack, or a combination of cheeses. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and an egg and set aside. To make the sauce, melt butter in a pot and sprinkle in flour, stirring until the mixture turns golden. Then, slowly pour in the milk and egg mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Finally, remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the shredded cheese.
Now you can assemble the layers in your baking dish. First, grease a baking dish with butter. Then, pour half of the cooked macaroni into the dish. Top with half of the cheese sauce, and sprinkle with seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, black pepper, dry mustard, and paprika. Repeat the layers one more time, using the rest of the macaroni, sauce, and seasonings.
Finally, it's time to bake! Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, if desired. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Let the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes before baking, then bake for 25-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. For an extra crispy topping, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Your macaroni cheese is now ready to serve! Enjoy it as a comforting main course or as a side dish.
Mac and Cheese: Phthalates in Powder?
You may want to see also
Customising your macaroni cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic, comforting dish that can be easily customised to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ways to jazz up your macaroni and cheese:
Choose Your Pasta
While the classic elbow macaroni shape is great for holding sauce, you can mix it up by using shells, penne, or even cauliflower florets for a vegetable-based option.
Cheese, Please!
Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite. Try using extra mature cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, mozzarella, or crumbled feta for a Mediterranean twist. Don't be afraid to mix and match cheeses to create unique flavour combinations.
Meat It Up
Add some protein to your macaroni and cheese by incorporating meat. Try crispy bacon, pepperoni, salami, ground beef, or even leftover pulled pork. For a meat-free option, toss in some steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms.
Spice It Up
Kick up the heat with spices and seasonings. Cayenne pepper, chilli powder, mustard powder, or a dash of hot sauce can take your macaroni and cheese to the next level. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding pickled jalapeños or kimchi for a unique flavour profile.
Get Creative with Add-Ins
The possibilities are endless when it comes to mix-ins. Try sun-dried tomatoes, olives, artichokes, peas, spinach, or even pesto. If you're feeling indulgent, toss in some lobster or truffles. Leftovers from your fridge can also be a great way to add some extra flavour and texture to your dish.
Breadcrumb Topping
For a crunchy texture, add breadcrumbs to your macaroni and cheese. You can use fresh breadcrumbs to soak up the oil and panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch. Broil it for a few minutes until melted and golden brown.
Mac and Cheese: A Low-Fiber Comfort Food
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Macaroni is the classic choice, but any short pasta shape will work. Long strands, such as spaghetti and tagliatelle, are at risk of clumping together.
Most of the flavour in the dish comes from the cheese, so use varieties you like the taste of. It’s good to use a mixture of cheeses for a more rounded flavour, but the bulk of your cheese should be an easy-melting variety such as cheddar, double Gloucester, red Leicester, Gruyère, or Fontina.
You can boost the vegetable count by adding cooked broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, leeks, carrots, or slices of tomato on top. If you want to make your mac and cheese more indulgent, try adding a breadcrumb topping and pieces of cooked bacon or prosciutto.
Cheese sauces start with a roux, which is made by cooking butter and flour together to thicken the sauce. Then, slowly pour in milk and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Finally, add the cheese and stir until smooth and melted.
Bake your macaroni cheese for around 10 minutes or until the cheese on top melts and the edges begin to bubble.
