Mac and Cheese Recipe, an American classic comfort food which is one of the popular and most loved recipe all over the world. Each and everyone has their own version of making mac and cheese and this is my recipe that is a family favorite. Learn how to make the Best mac and cheese with step by step pictures and video and enjoy with garlic bread and broccoli and cheese.
Mac and Cheese Recipe
Who doesn't love Mac and Cheese, I love it all time. There is something in that which makes me feel happy.
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Mac and cheese is one dish that is easily customisable, you can transform into any which way you prefer. This recipe is a stove top mac and cheese recipe with the creamiest sauce ever.
About Mac and Cheese Recipe
Macaroni and cheese, also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom, is a dish that consists of cooked macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, most commonly Cheddar sauce.
Traditional mac and cheese is white and pretty bland in taste which I don't prefer. I want my mac and cheese to have some flavour. Thats why I use shallots, garlic, curry powder, paprika, garlic powder in my sauce. Once you try this version of macaroni cheese there is no turning back.
In this recipe post I have shared an everyday mac and cheese and a baked mac and cheese. In our house we always fight for the top crusty part of the baked mac and cheese because it is so delicious.
Some of other favorite recipes we love to enjoy is this keema macaroni and Korean corn and cheese.
Similar Pasta Recipes
2 Methods for Making Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one dish that can be easily customised to your taste and preference. You can add cooked chicken, sauted vegetables, mushrooms, seared lobster to transform this humble dish to next level.
Stove Top Mac and Cheese
This is the version which I love, it is super creamy and decadent. I made a curry and spicy flavour mac and cheese as per my family liking. I added onions, garlic, spice powders like curry powder, paprika, garlic powder for flavour. This mac and cheese is incredibly flavourful.
Baked Mac and Cheese
For baking mac and cheese. Prepare macaroni as mentioned above or in any variations mentioned below. Pour it into a baking tray. Top with breadcrumbs, cheese and bake in a 180 degree C preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until cheesy and bubbly.
Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Macaroni - You can use any pasta shapes as you like. But small pasta like macaroni is best.
- Plain flour - it helps make the bechamel sauce for mac and cheese.
- Onions & Garlic - fresh onions and garlic add so much flavour to the sauce.
- Cheese - Grate cheese in a grater which easily melt into the sauce. I prefer to use mozzarella cheese.
- Milk - full fat milk is preferred because it adds richness to the dish. But you can use low fat milk of choice.
- Butter & Olive oil - butter and oil not only adds flavour but helps make the white sauce flavourful.
- Spices - curry powder, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper powder, salt, sugar adds taste and flavour to the dish.
Step by Step pictures
Cooking Pasta
1)Bring water to a full boil. Add in a generous amount of salt. Once the water starts to boil, add in the dry macaroni pasta. Cook pasta as per package directions. It will take around 7 to 8 minutes.
2)Strain the pasta through a colander and set aside.
Making Cheese Sauce
2)Heat butter and olive oil in a large cooking pot. Let it get hot and allow the butter to melt.
3)Add in finely chopped garlic and chopped shallots. Make sure to chop them finely. if you don't have shallots, you can use onions or white part of the green onions. Saute the garlic and onions for a minute until fragrant.
4)Add in all purpose flour into the melted butter. Cook till the raw smell leaves from the flour.
Pro Tip: Instead of plain flour (maida) you can use wheat flour for healthier alternative.
5)Stir fry the flour with the butter on low heat for 2 minutes. The raw smell should leave, no need to get colour on the flour.
6)Now add in spice powders. I have used paprika, curry powder, black pepper powder and garlic powder.
7)Stir the spices with the butter just for few seconds.
8)Pour in cold milk slowly into the flour and butter roux. Keep mixing it using a hand whisk till it gets smooth and creamy.
Pro Tip: Using cold milk makes the white sauce lump free and smooth.
9)Once the milk starts boiling, it will thicken up and get creamy.
10)Add in salt and sugar to taste. Mix well.
11)Add in shredded mozzarella cheese.
Pro tip: use cheddar or processed American cheese for creaminess.
12)Mix well, the heat from the sauce will melt the cheese instantly.
Tossing in Pasta
13)Now add in cooked macaroni and mix well. Thats it, your creamy mac and cheese is ready to serve.
14)Toss well into the sauce. Mac and cheese is ready.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Once you prepare Mac and cheese, you can serve it as it is or transform it into a baking dish, sprinkle top with some breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake till bubbly and cheesy. This is a extra step but makes a delicious baked mac and cheese with crusty and cheese exterior.
1) For baking mac and cheese. Transform the mac and cheese into a baking dish, sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and more cheese. Place the baking tray into a 180 degree C preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes till golden brown.
2)Baked mac and cheese ready to serve.
Variations
- Lobster Mac & Cheese - Stir in 1 poached or seared lobster meat into the pasta.
- Spicy version - add in 3 tablespoon of sriracha or any hot sauce into the mac and cheese.
- Broccoli & Cheese - add in cooked broccoli florets and extra 1 cup of cheddar cheese for flavour.
- Vegetable Loaded - add in sauted chopped carrots, green beans, cauliflower, into the pasta.
- Chicken Mac and Cheese - add in cooked cubed chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken into the pasta.
Expert Tips
- Instead of macaroni, you can use any shaped pasta.
- Any flavourings and spices can be used in the white sauce.
- Instead of mozzarella cheese, you can use grated cheddar cheese or processed American cheese.
- Any vegetables can be used. Make sure you saute them in a tablespoon of olive oil before using. You can use cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, green peas and green beans can be used.
- Add cooked cubed chicken or shredded chicken into the sauce.
Make Ahead & Storage
If you are planning to bring this to any party or gatherings. I recommend you to try the baked mac and cheese. You can prepare mac and cheese as mentioned. Transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and cheese. Cover with foil and store in fridge till needed. When ready to serve, pop it into a preheated oven and bake till bubbly and golden.
Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an air tight container in fridge. Reheat in microwave with a extra splash of milk if it is too dry.
FAQ
Mac and cheese should be consumed in moderation or as an occasional treat as part of a healthy diet. Macaroni and cheese is high in calories, with 300-500 calories per serving.
Oregano, basil, and marjoram are delicious additions to traditional mac and cheese. Italian herbs go well with cheese and pasta, so adding them to mac and cheese makes sense.
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Mac and Cheese | Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Macaroni
For Mac and Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic peeled & chopped finely
- ¼ cup Shallots peeled & chopped finely
- 2 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- 500 ml Cold Milk
- 1 teaspoon Paprika or Red Chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper powder
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Grated
For Baked Mac & Cheese
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Cooking Pasta - Cook macaroni pasta in a boiling salted water as per package directions. Strain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce - Heat butter and olive oil in a pan. Add in chopped garlic, onions and saute for a minute. Add in flour and stir fry for a minute. Now add in garlic powder, chilli powder, curry powder and black pepper powder and stir fry for a minute.
- Now pour in the cold milk and whisk until lump free, let it come to a simmering stage. Now season with salt, sugar and mix well. Let the sauce get creamy and thick. Add in cheese and let it melt, mix well till creamy.
- Tossing Pasta in Sauce - Add cooked pasta and mix well. Serve immediately.
For Baked Mac and Cheese
- Transfer the mac and cheese into a baking pan. There should be a good amount of sauce for this, so that when you bake it the macaroni don't get dry. Sprinkle cheese and breadcrumbs on top and bake it in a 180 degree C preheated oven for 25-30 mins. Remove and serve.
Video
Notes
- Instead of macaroni, you can use any shaped pasta.
- Any flavourings and spices can be used in the white sauce.
- Instead of cheddar cheese, you can use grated mozzarella cheese or processed American cheese.
- Any vegetables can be used. Make sure you saute them in a tablespoon of olive oil before using. You can use cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, green peas and green beans can be used.
- Add cooked cubed chicken or shredded chicken into the sauce.
Nutrition
Tried this Recipe
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Preethi Lakshmikanthan
Mam what is mustard powder...which brand you use and what is the alternative
Aarthi
Mustard powder is just powdered mustard seeds.
Sandhya Venkatesh
Hi Aarthi, Tried the recipe. A detailed recipe with pictures. It was very easy to make. It turned out very good. Everyone at home enjoyed it. Especially the kids enjoyed it.
Kailas
Super and really fantastic
renloren
Hi Aarthi! Tested the recipe. Visual directions for a tasty dinner. It was easy to make. A huge success. Nobody at home disliked it. The kids enjoyed it too.