Hometown Buffet Macaroni Cheese Copycat Food

STOUFFER'S MACARONI & CHEESE (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• NOTE: This recipe can be prepared in two methods -- "crusty" (baked), or "creamy" (stovetop). SET oven rack to center position; PREHEAT oven to 375°F if using the "crusty" baked macaroni and cheese option in Step 9; SPRAY a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick baking spray; SHRED 16 ounces (1 lb.) sharp cheddar cheese; SET aside.
• BRING 4 quarts (16 cups) water to a rolling boil; ADD 1 tablespoon salt and 4 cups dry medium elbow macaroni; BLANCH macaroni until just tender; DRAIN cooked macaroni in colander, scraping all pasta from pot.
• RINSE drained macaroni in colander under cold running water for 30 seconds; ALLOW macaroni to drain; RETURN empty pot to stovetop on medium-low to medium heat.
• MELT 6 tablespoons margarine in pot; ADD 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons cornstarch to make a roux; COOK over low heat, whisking until light golden (do not scorch).
• POUR in 4 1/2 cups skim milk while whisking; ADD 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon citric acid; STIR; RAISE heat to medium.
• ADD one (8 ounce) can Kraft Sharp Cheddar Easy Cheese; REDUCE heat to low; ADD 16 ounces shredded medium cheddar cheese; STIR constantly over lowest heat until mixture melts and becomes very smooth and consistent in texture.
• ADD rinsed drained macaroni to pot; WHISK to separate any clumped macaroni and combine; ADD salt to taste if necessary.
• POUR then scrape mixture into greased 9 x 13 baking dish (for make-ahead freezing only, use greased cake or loaf pans); SET baking dish over a large baking sheet covered with foil.
• FOR CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE: Leave baking dish uncovered; Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and set for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
• FOR CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE: Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often until desired consistency is achieved. Serve and enjoy!

HOMETOWN BUFFET MACARONI & CHEESE (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• BOIL 3 quarts salt-free water in a 4-quart pot; ADD 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; SCRAPE bottom immediately with a wire whisk to avoid sticking; BOIL macaroni for 8-10 minutes.
• POUR macaroni into colander in sink (remove all pasta from bottom of pot); RINSE macaroni and pot with cold water; ALLOW to drain.
• RETURN empty pot to a new burner stovetop over medium-low heat; ADD 2 tablespoons margarine and allow to melt, then add 1 1/3 cups skim milk (or 50% milk with 50% water), 1/8 teaspoon white pepper, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, and 1 pinch garlic powder.
• RAISE heat to medium until heated; ADD the contents of one (8 ounce) jar Cheez-Whiz (or half the contents of one 15-ounce jar), scraping all contents from jar using a flexible spatula; ADD 8 ounces shredded medium cheddar cheese.
• WHISK mixture often without letting mixture boil, until thickened and glossy in appearance.
• ADD rinsed drained macaroni; FOLD mixture together until well-blended.
• POUR mixture into greased 8 x 8 baking dish.
• BAKE at 300°F for 15 minutes.
• REMOVE from oven with oven mitts; SPRINKLE top with 1/3 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese; ALLOW to set just long enough for the cheese to melt.
• SERVE and enjoy.

RESER'S MACARONI SALAD (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• RECONSTITUTE 4 teaspoons minced onion flakes in enough very hot water to cover and saturate completely.
• PREP remaining vegetables to specifications.
• COOK large elbow macaroni according to package directions in moderately salted water, less 2 minutes until al dente (firm to the bite); DRAIN in a large colander placed in sink; RINSE with cold water and allow to drain again.
• INTO a large bowl with an (accompanying cover or lid), add the dressing ingredients EXCEPT for the sweet pickle juice and white vinegar). Note: drain excess water from onions before adding).
• WHISK mixture well then gently fold in vegetables until just blended.
• GENTLY fold in drained macaroni until well-blended.
• COMBINE the sweet pickle juice with vinegar then sprinkle over salad.
• FOLD mixture gently until creamy, without over-mixing.
• COVER and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• SERVE and enjoy.

KFC MAC & CHEESE (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• NOTE: PREPARE EXACTLY AS DIRECTED. USE LARGE ELBOW MACARONI.
• INTO 1 1/8 cups of milk, whisk in the nonfat dry milk, cornstarch, mustard powder, seasoning salt and white pepper.
• CUT Velveeta Original cheese into 1/2-inch cubes.
• SHRED 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
• COOK (boil) macaroni according to package directions.
• DRAIN macaroni and return to pot.
• ADD the remaining ingredients except cheddar cheese and stir over medium heat.
• STIR mixture often without letting mixture boil (reduce heat if this happens), until thickened and glossy in appearance.
• ADD the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
• SERVE immediately and enjoy.