Baked Macaroni And Pimento Cheese Food

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4). Butter a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of about 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Add the macaroni, reduce the heat to medium, and continue boiling until al dente** following package directions. Drain the macaroni well.
• In a bowl combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese, shredded cheese, drained pimientos, and grated onion. Mix the ingredients together until thoroughly blended. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. Add the hot drained macaroni and mix until well blended.
• Spoon the macaroni and pimiento cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the French fried onions over the casserole.
• Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the macaroni and cheese mixture is hot and bubbling around the edges and the topping is lightly browned and crispy.
• Serve with a simple tossed green salad or fresh sliced tomatoes, or serve it along with a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. *Diced pimientos come in small jars, and they're located in the vegetable section of most supermarkets. If you can't find pimientos or need to substitute, use roasted red bell peppers. To roast red bell pepper or fresh red pimiento peppers, place them on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake them in a preheated 500 F oven for about 30 minutes, turning frequently until all sides are charred. Remove the pan to a rack and cover with foil. Let stand for about 30 minutes. Quarter the peppers, remove stems, peels, and seeds. Chop the peeled peppers or slice into strips. Refrigerate roasted red peppers in oil for up to 2 weeks. **Al Dente: From the Italian, it means literally, "to the tooth." In the case of pasta, it means cooking it until it is still somewhat firm, or firm to the bite. You Might Also Like Macaroni and Cheese Croquettes Simple Macaroni and Cheese Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese

MACARONI AND PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package directions. Do not salt water.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in 2 milk, salt, red pepper, and garlic powder; cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
• Stir in cheddar cheese and pimiento until cheese is melted and smooth.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in drained pasta until well coated with the cheese sauce.

BAKED MACARONI AND PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to the package; drain.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
• Whisk in flour gradually until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
• Gradually, whisk in the milk, salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Cook,.
• while whisking frequently for 3-5 minutes or until thickened.
• Add cheddar cheese and pimentos; cook until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in pasta.
• In a baking dish with cooking spray (9-by-13 in.), spoon pasta mixture.
• In a bowl, add parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly!

FRIED PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on at least 2 sides.
• Put the milk and macaroni in a medium saucepan. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the macaroni from clumping. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, until the macaroni is tender and the milk has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the Cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, pimentos, sour cream, hot sauce, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and stir until smooth, thick and creamy. Spread into the prepared baking dish and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Use the parchment overhang to lift the macaroni in a block from the dish. Cut into 2-inch squares, transfer to a baking sheet and freeze until completely firm, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with 2 inches of oil and heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Fry the mac and cheese squares in batches until golden brown on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm with more hot sauce drizzled over top.

PIMENTO CHEESE MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a rolling boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions suggest.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento peppers, Cheddar, chives, smoked paprika, garlic, hot sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper together until thoroughly combined.
• Transfer the cooked macaroni directly to the large bowl with the cheese mixture and mix until everything is thoroughly combined. Fold in the red bell pepper and garnish with more smoked paprika. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
• In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
• Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
• Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
• Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.