Dads Favorite Mac And Cheese Food

DADS FAVORITE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta as per package directions.
• Combine butter and flour in a medium saucepan and melt on low to medium heat.
• Add half of the milk and cheese to saucepan and stir until melted.
• Add the rest of the milk and cheese to saucepan and stir until melted.
• Place pasta in baking dish and pour cheese sauce over pasta and then stir.
• Salt and pepper to taste and top with bread crumbs if desired.
• Bake uncovered for 30 mins at 350.

MAC DADDY MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place shallots and garlic in a small aluminum foil pouch and drizzle with olive oil. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until tender. Remove from foil and chop. In a large saute pan, reheat reserved bacon fat over medium heat. Add roasted shallot and garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. Whisk in heavy cream and thyme. Reduce by a third. Stir in cheeses until melted, creamy and thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and gently stir in pasta. Place in a 9X13 casserole dish. In a small bowl, mix together diced bacon, bread crumbs, butter and parsley. Top Mac n Cheese with Panko mixture and bake uncovered at same heat until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 20 to 25 minutes.

SPECIAL MAC AND CHEESE FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Boil macaroni in water with 1 Tbsp oil in very large pot until tender.
• Add frozen peas for last minute of boiling time.
• Drain and keep warm.
• While macaroni is boiling, melt butter in medium sized bowl in microwave.
• Add flour to butter and stir until most of lumps are gone.
• Add milk all at once and stir to get butter paste incorporated.
• Microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
• After first 2 minutes add cream cheese.
• Continue to stir every 2 minutes until cream cheese is melted in and sauce becomes thick.
• Add 1-1/2 cups cheese and stir until melted.
• Mix in salt, pepper, garlic salt and ground mustard.
• Add to macaroni mixture and stir until sauce is mixed well.
• Pour into a 9x13-inch casserole.
• You will probably have enough to fill it and then some. I use two or three 8x8-inch squares.
• Top with additional cheese and crushed croutons, bake 30 minutes at 350°F.
• If freezing, leave out last step until ready to bake.

PRESIDENT REAGAN'S FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil macaroni in water until tender and drain thoroughly.
• Stir in butter and egg.
• Mix mustard and salt with 1T hot water, and add to milk.
• Add cheese, leaving enough to sprinkle on top.
• Pour into buttered casserole; add milk, sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes or until custard is set and top is crusty.

DADDY'S MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Start large pot of salted water on stove to boil.
• Heat 4 cups of milk in microwave for 3-4 minutes just to warm.
• In large dutch oven heat butter to melt and whisk in flour over medium-high heat. Whisk until mixture starts to brown and smell nutty. Whisk in milk and continue to whisk until mixture thickens and is smooth. Add salt.
• Boil pasta until almost done according to package instructions.
• While pasta is boiling stir in cheeses starting with the feta and finshing with the jack. Add in small amounts and continue stirring. The feta may not completely incorporate.
• Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to incorporate. If too thick or if going to serve much later add some of the reserved pasta water.

MY FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare the mac'n cheese according to package directions. (I have also made this using the 7.25 oz. box of Kraft's Thick & Creamy Macaroni & Cheese, and it tastes just as good, or even better, but you will need to add a 1/2 cup of milk as stated on the box).
• Just before serving (and while still hot), stir in the salsa.
• *Note: Whenever I make this recipe adding salsa that's has more heat to it (like my husbands homemade 'hot' salsa), I only add 4 tablespoons to the mac 'n cheese, but if I use a store bought brand that's not so hot, and is a medium-heat tasting salsa, then I'll add 5 tablespoons of the salsa.

DAD'S OVEN BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH A KICK

Steps:

• Cook and drain macaroni; rinse with cold water.
• Meanwhile, melt butter or margarine either in a pot on the stove or in a microwavable container in the microwave.
• Stir in flour.
• Add milk and cook, stirring frequently (5 - 6 minutes in the microwave, stirring every minute) until thickened.
• Add seasonings and continue cooking on stove or in microwave for 1 - 2 minutes longer.
• Add 1 1/2 cups cheese and stir until melted (may need to be cooked for 1 more minute to melt the cheese).
• Grease a large casserole dish and pour in macaroni noodles and cheese sauce, stirring to mix. My dad always layered the noodles and sauce, so that's an option, too.
• Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top, followed by the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake at 375 for 25 - 30 minutes, or until mixture is heated through and the cheese on top is completely melted.