Dads Macaroni And Cheese Food

DAD PAGE'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until they are softened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns light brown, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Add the paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheeses and stir until they are melted. Add the macaroni and stir until the noodles are thoroughly coated. Remove from heat. Butter two 6-inch cast iron skillets or one 12-inch skillet. Transfer the macaroni mixture into the skillets. Top with the sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Bake until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped herbs.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spread the cubes of bread on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Place the butter, garlic, and herbs in a small saucepan and heat over low heat until the butter is melted. Toss the toasted bread with the butter mixture in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Process the bread in 2 batches in a food processor until you have fine crumbs. Sift the crumbs through a mesh strainer and process the larger crumbs again until all are fine. (If you do not have a food processor, crush the bread on the baking sheet with a rolling pin.)

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.

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.

DAD'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook macaroni and drain.
• Mix all ingredients except paprika and 2 cups Mexican blend or cheddar cheese in a 2-quart baking dish.
• Top with remaining 2 cups cheese.
• Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
• Recipe can be halved and cooked in a 9x9 pan.

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.