Baked Macaroni 3 Cheese Light Food

3-CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In large pot filled with water add 3 pinches of salt and the macaroni and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and let cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux or paste forms. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper. Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.
• Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 by 9 baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Top with fresh parsley and serve.

CREAMY THREE-CHEESE BAKED MAC

Steps:

• For the noodles: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cook the pasta in boiling super salty water (like the sea) until just tender, or al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, and set aside. Strain the pasta from the water. Drizzle a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish with the olive oil.
• For the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour so that it's smooth and pasty, then cook for 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally, so the roux does not stick to the pan. Pour in the milk 1 cup at a time and stir until smooth. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally so there are no lumps and nothing sticks to the bottom and edges of the pan, for 10 minutes. Season with the nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt. Reserve 1/4 cup of each of the cheeses and set aside. When the bechamel sauce is smooth and velvety, reduce the heat to low and stir in the garlic and remaining 3/4 cup of each of the shredded cheeses. Add the reserved pasta water. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
• Place the pasta in the prepared casserole dish and toss to lightly coat with the olive oil. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir well to combine.
• Sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup of each of the cheeses over the pasta. Give the dish a little shake to help settle the sauce.
• For the topping: In a small bowl, mix together the cracker crumbs, melted butter and dried herbs. Press the cracker crumbs on top of the pasta. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

BAKED MACARONI WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to broil.
• Use 1 T of butter to generously coat a 3-quart casserole dish.
• Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in large stockpot.
• Add 2 T of salt, stir briefly, then add the pasta.
• Cook until tender and just past al dente, about 10-13 minutes, or slightly longer than package directions.
• Drain the pasta, then transfer it to a large bowl.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta, then toss to coat; set aside.
• To make the sauce, in a small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of the remaining butter, using a whisk to swirl it to ensure the butter melts completely and does not turn brown.
• If the butter begins to brown, lower the heat.
• While whisking, sprinkle in the flour.
• Continue to whisk until the mixture just bubbles, about 2 minutes.
• Do not let the mixture brown.
• While whisking, slowly pour the milk in the saucepan.
• Continue whisking until there are no lumps.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and season with salt and pepper.
• Continue whisking until the sauce reaches the consistency of heavy cream and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from the heat.
• Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
• Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat.
• Transfer the pasta and sauce, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl, to the prepared casserole dish.
• Set aside.
• In small microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 1 T of butter by microwaving on high for about 20 seconds.
• Add the breadcrumbs and remaining cheddar and parmesan cheeses; toss well.
• Spread the bread crumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
• Place the dish on the oven's middle rack and broil for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly, and a crunchy crust forms on top.
• Cool briefly before serving.

LIGHT BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, combine first 4 ingredients; stir in milk.
• Add margarine; stirring constantly.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheese and 1/2 cup Velveeta.
• Add elbows.
• Pour into greased 2-quart casserole.
• Sprinkle with rest of cheddar, grated parmesan and bread crumbs.
• Bake uncovered in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

BAKED MACARONI & 3 CHEESE

Steps:

• In bowl, mix flour, salt, mustard, pepper and milk until smooth.
• Melt butter in large saucepan.
• Remove from heat and gradually stir in milk mixture until smooth.
• Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thickened (about 10 minutes).
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in cheeses until melted.
• Combine cheese mixture with macaroni in greased 2 quart casserole.
• Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

AUNTIE'S AWESOME BAKED MAC N' CHEESE (LIGHT)

Steps:

• In large saucepan, combine first four ingredients; stir in milk. Add butter; stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minutes. *This is very important but make sure you don't burn the milk or else you will get an undesirable smoky taste to your dish!* Remove from heat.
• Stir in 4 coups cheese until melted. Add elbows. Pour into lightly greased 9x13 casserole.
• Coarsely shred bread in food processor, then mix crumbs with the remaining cup of cheese. Spread over top of macaroni.
• Bake uncovered in 375 degree oven for 25-40 minutes until browned to desired doneness.
• Enjoy! Makes great leftovers!
• *Cheese should be 3 Cups Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar and 2 Cups Reduced Fat Mexican Four Cheese Blend.

BAKED MACARONI & 3 CHEESE (LIGHT)

Steps:

• In bowl, mix flour, salt, mustard, pepper and milk until smooth.
• Melt butter in large saucepan.
• Remove from heat and gradually stir in milk mixture until smooth.
• Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thickened (about 10 minutes).
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in cheeses until melted.
• Combine cheese mixture with macaroni in greased 2 quart casserole.
• Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.