Patrick Oconnell
Macaroni and cheese is a staple of the American diet, but it was first made in 13th-century Italy. Since then, mac and cheese recipes have evolved dramatically. There are many ways to elevate the humble mac and cheese, from adding crispy prosciutto to bacon bits, or even making it vegetarian. You can also add broccoli, chicken, or even truffles to make it luxurious. If you're feeling creative, you can experiment with different combinations of ingredients based on your cravings or leftovers in your fridge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Bacon, Crispy prosciutto, Pulled pork, Chicken, Hotdog, Ground beef or sausage |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Curly kale, Tuscan kale, Pickled jalapeños, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas |
| Spices and herbs | Garlic, Smoked paprika, Pepper, Fennel seeds, Caraway seeds, Rosemary, Thyme |
| Other | Breadcrumbs, Truffle, Sour cream, Extra cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Meat: bacon, chicken, or pulled pork
Bacon
Bacon is a popular addition to macaroni and cheese, with its salty, smoky flavour combining well with the creamy-but-tangy cheese sauce. To make a bacon macaroni cheese, cook the macaroni in boiling salted water, drain, and set aside. Fry the bacon until crispy, then set aside. Make a cheese sauce by melting butter in a pan, whisking in flour, and slowly adding milk until it reaches a sauce-like consistency. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, then transfer to an ovenproof dish and sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 10 minutes.
Chicken
Chicken macaroni cheese is another option. To make this, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat, then add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate, then add onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, then sprinkle in flour and stir. Whisk in milk and dry mustard, then add mozzarella and cheddar, whisking until melted. Finally, add the chicken and pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork macaroni and cheese is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines two meals in one. To make this, cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside. Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large skillet, then whisk in flour and cook for 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Whisk in evaporated milk, chicken broth, salt, pepper, mustard, onion powder, and garlic, then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cheese, then add the cooked pasta and stir until well mixed. Top with warmed pulled pork and barbecue sauce, then serve.
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Vegetables: kale, broccoli, or peppers
Macaroni and cheese is a hearty, comforting dish that can be made even better for you by adding vegetables. If you want to include kale, broccoli, or peppers in your mac and cheese, here are some ideas to get you started.
Kale is a nutritious option that can be added to your mac and cheese. To prepare the kale, gently fry it with onion and garlic in butter over medium heat until the kale wilts and the onions turn translucent. You can then add this mixture to your cooked macaroni and cheese, stirring until all the ingredients are combined.
Broccoli is another healthy choice that pairs well with the creamy sauce of mac and cheese. To incorporate broccoli, you can roast it beforehand to add a nice caramelized flavor to the dish. Alternatively, you can steam or boil the broccoli until tender and then mix it with the cooked macaroni and cheese.
Peppers, such as banana peppers or spicy varieties like hatch, Anaheim, or jalapeño, can add a kick to your mac and cheese. You can roast and chop spicy peppers before adding them to the dish. For banana peppers, try sautéing them with other vegetables like carrots and zucchini, and then mix them into your mac and cheese.
When adding vegetables to your mac and cheese, you can follow a simple process. First, cook your chosen vegetables according to their preparation method (roasting, sautéing, boiling, etc.). Then, prepare your macaroni according to the package instructions. Finally, combine the cooked vegetables and macaroni with your cheese sauce, stirring until everything is evenly mixed.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of vegetables and cheeses to find your favorite variation of this classic comfort food!
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Spices: garlic, paprika, or pepper
Spices are a great way to add flavour to macaroni and cheese. Here are some ideas for spices that can be used:
Garlic
Garlic powder is a popular choice for adding flavour to macaroni and cheese. It can be added to the sauce, or if you are adding meat to your macaroni and cheese, it can be added to the meat as it cooks.
Paprika
Paprika, especially smoked paprika, is a common addition to macaroni and cheese. It is added to the roux to give the dish a smoky flavour.
Pepper
Black pepper, especially the 'Black Dust' variety, is often added to macaroni and cheese. Freshly ground pepper is not recommended for this dish.
Other spices that can be added to macaroni and cheese include cayenne pepper, ground thyme, and nutmeg.
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Herbs: thyme or rosemary
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and it's even better with the addition of herbs like thyme or rosemary. Here are some tips and recipes to enhance your macaroni and cheese with these aromatic herbs.
Rosemary Macaroni and Cheese
For a delicious and easy rosemary macaroni and cheese, you can follow this recipe:
- Cook your choice of noodles or pasta until it is slightly soft or al dente. Hollow or wrinkled pasta is recommended as it holds the sauce better. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt some butter on medium-high heat until it starts to brown.
- Add chopped fresh rosemary and garlic to the melted butter. Sauté until the aroma of the herbs and garlic is released.
- Pour in some cream and let it bubble and reduce slightly. Then, turn down the heat to low.
- Add your choice of grated cheese to the sauce and whisk until it is fully melted and combined. You can use sharp white cheddar or a combination of cheeses like cheddar, Gruyere, or Parmesan.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the creamy rosemary sauce until it is evenly coated.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a casserole dish. You can add some vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach at this point if desired.
- Top with breadcrumbs: In a skillet, heat some olive oil and sauté finely chopped shallots and rosemary. Add ripped sourdough bread or panko breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is golden brown and bubbly.
Thyme Macaroni and Cheese
While there are no specific recipes found for thyme macaroni and cheese, you can easily incorporate thyme into your dish by adding it to the cheese sauce. Here are some general guidelines:
- Prepare your cheese sauce by making a roux with butter and flour. You can also use evaporated milk instead of a traditional béchamel sauce to avoid curdling issues.
- Add your choice of grated cheese to the sauce, such as cheddar, Gruyere, or Parmesan.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until combined.
- Chop fresh thyme leaves and add them to the macaroni and cheese, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Transfer the thyme macaroni and cheese to a baking dish.
- You can add a breadcrumb topping by mixing toasted breadcrumbs with thyme, olive oil, and other seasonings of your choice.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden and crispy.
Feel free to experiment with the amount of thyme or rosemary to suit your taste preferences. Both herbs add a unique aromatic flavor to the classic macaroni and cheese, elevating it to a whole new level of comfort food.
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Luxury: truffles
Truffles are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your macaroni and cheese. The distinctive, earthy flavour of truffles can take your mac and cheese to the next level, making it a perfect dish for dinner parties or special occasions.
Truffle Cheese
The easiest way to incorporate truffles into your mac and cheese is to use truffle-infused cheese. You can use any type of truffled cheese you can find, such as truffle cheddar, truffle pecorino, truffle gouda, or even truffle brie. If you can't get your hands on truffled cheese, you can also use plain soft goat cheese with truffle cheddar or another type of truffled cheese.
Truffle Oil
Truffle oil is another essential ingredient for adding that luxurious truffle flavour to your mac and cheese. A little goes a long way, so you only need a drizzle of truffle oil to infuse your dish with its distinctive aroma and flavour. You can add truffle oil to the pasta before adding the sauce, directly to the cheese sauce, or drizzled on top after assembly.
Truffle Salt
For an extra punch of truffle flavour, you can use truffle salt in addition to regular salt. A pinch of truffle salt can be added to the pasta water or sprinkled on top of the finished dish.
Toppings
To take your truffle mac and cheese over the top, consider adding some luxurious toppings. Sautéed mushrooms can enhance the earthy flavour of the truffles, while lobster will definitely impress your guests. For a crunchy texture, add a breadcrumb topping by mixing breadcrumbs with melted butter and truffle oil, then sprinkle over the mac and cheese and bake until golden.
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Frequently asked questions
You can add vegetables like broccoli, kale, and garlic to macaroni and cheese. Broccoli works well with baked mac and cheese, while kale adds an aesthetically pleasing touch to the dish. If you're a fan of garlic, toss in some minced garlic fried until golden brown.
Meats such as bacon, prosciutto, and chicken go well with macaroni and cheese. Bacon bits can add a rich, meaty, and salty flavor to the dish. You can also add leftover pulled pork or chicken to add some protein to your meal.
Some other ingredients you can add include breadcrumbs, spices like paprika, herbs, hot sauce, and extra cheese. You can also add truffles to elevate your macaroni and cheese to a luxury dish, although truffles can be quite expensive.
