Favorite Mac and cheese recipe?

[pinkxray]

Does anyone have a great homemade Mac and cheese recipe?
DD15 is one the hunt for a baked Mac and cheese recipe that she will love. We have tried a few but can’t seem to find the perfect one. She is a big fan of Cracker Barrel but the copycat recipes we’ve tried haven’t been the best.
We are going to give it a shot again on Easter.

Thanks!

 

[tvguy]

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni cooked
Make a roux (melt 3 tablespoons butter, mix in 2 tablespoons flour)
Add 2 cups half and half, mix until it is bubbly and thickens
Add 16 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese (EXTRA EXTRA SHARP)
Pour over macaroni
Shred more cheddar on top
Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes

 

[izzy]

I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on this one:

2 cans of cheese soup - I use Campbell’s
4 cups of milk - whole is best
16 oz box of macaroni (4 cups of uncooked noodles), cooked and drained
16 oz of medium and sharp cheese, shredded and mixed together (you can use a little more if you like it extra cheesy)
Salt and pepper

Whisk the soup and milk together and heat it up in sauce pan while cooking the macaroni. I cook the macaroni for 12 minutes.

Then I layer into a sprayed casserole dish (a 9x13 inch one at a minimum):

About 1/4th of shredded cheese on the bottom. Then half of the cooked and drained macaroni. Add some salt and pepper. Repeat with 1/4 of the cheese, macaroni, and salt and pepper. Pour the cheese soup mixture over the macaroni. Try not to stir any of this together or you’ll mess up the layering. Finish with the remaining half of the cheese. Bake at 350 for at least 30 minutes until the cheese is gold and bubbly. I would put a pan underneath of it in case some of this bubbles out. You don’t want a mess n the bottom of your oven!

This makes quite a large dish - I usually take it to pot lucks - and can easily be cut in half for a regular family meal.

 

[rlk]

My go to recipe is from Ina Garten. I just don't add tomatoes or nutmeg because my kids like it better without them.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mac-and-cheese-recipe2-1945401

 

[lorimay]

I use the recipe on the back of the Ronzoni small elbow macaroni box.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Martha Stewart's recipe uses the same techniques as Ina's which makes a lot of sense given their history.

https://www.marthastewart.com/271998/perfect-macaroni-and-cheese

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Another vote for Martha's recipe. Works every time and never fails to impress. For extra fun, add bacon!

 

[luvsJack]

Ina Garten made one on her show once that I don't use the exact recipe but more of the technique. She made the roux with butter and flour and added 3 different cheeses ( just whatever you have or like together) to make the cheese sauce. It makes more than enough to mix in so mix some in with the macaroni and Then layer it in the pan with the macaroni. On top of each layer of cheese sauce, add slices or shredded cheese. I use provolone. The top is some shredded cheddar and then toasted buttery breadcrumbs.

It is very good.

 

[ronandannette]

This is the one I taught DS to make. Quantities can be batched up if you want more but it's plenty for 4 people:
Cook 2 cups elbow macaroni to just done (not too soft)

• 1 large stock celery finely minced
• 1/4 med. sized onion finely minced
• 1 clove garlic finely minced
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 soup can whole milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (or more to taste)
• Salt, pepper & Mrs. Dash Original herb blend
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (the powdery Kraft-type in the jar)

Sautee vegetables in butter until softened in a large sauce pan. Lower heat and add the mushroom soup and 1/2 the milk; stir vigorously until smooth and heat to hot but not boiling. Add the cheese in thirds, stirring each time until melted and smooth. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BOIL IT!! Adjust the thickness of the sauce with the remaining milk and add the seasonings to your own taste. Combine with the cooked macaroni and pour into a shallow baking dish with lots of surface area. Sprinkle with the grated parmesan, which will become a crunchy, cheesy crust! Bake at 350 until bubbly and brown on top.

This turns into a one-dish meal very easily by going a little heavier on the celery and onion and adding cubed cooked ham, sliced canned mushrooms and frozen peas. Increase the sauce quantity by using 2 cans of soup and more milk and cheese if you're doing the add-ins.