Loaf Pan Mac N Cheese Food

EXTRA-CRUNCHY SHEET-PAN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the macaroni, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
• Heat the half-and-half, cream cheese, and reserved pasta water in a large pot over medium heat, stirring until the cream cheese is completely melted and the mixture just comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce, whisking until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add the macaroni to the pot and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if desired. Spread the macaroni mixture on an 18-by-13-inch sheet pan.
• Toss the panko, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl and sprinkle evenly over the pasta. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are brown and crisp, rotating halfway through, 20 to 25 minutes.

BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk the 3 eggs. Add the remaining ingredients to combine. Poor into a greased pan (I use either a bread pan or a 9x13 pan.) Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Take off the foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Cut and serve.
• You can also use seasoned bread crumbs and add onions or onion powder, garlic powder and/or ham. Sometimes I put the macaroni and a bowl with water and microwave for about 5 minutes - just to soften them a bit more. Yum! My husband swears this tastes better the next day - so he's happy to have leftovers -- .

ONE-PAN OVEN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place blocks of Fontina and sharp Cheddar cheeses in the center of an ungreased, 9-inch square baking dish. Pour pasta into the dish, spreading evenly around the cheese. Pour half-and-half directly on top of the pasta and stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then top with shredded white Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, spreading evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Pull the dish out of the oven, stir in milk, and mix until noodles, cheese, and sauce are evenly combined. Return to the oven and cook until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes more.
• Stir and serve immediately.

SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a half-sheet pan in the oven to heat.
• Place a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the evaporated milk, processed cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar, 1 cup of the Gruyere, the dry mustard, hot sauce and salt, then whisk until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat and combine.
• In a small bowl, toss together the Parmesan with the remaining 1 1/2 cups Cheddar and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven and carefully spray with the cooking spray. Pour the mac and cheese from the saucepan into the sheet pan and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the top. Bake until the cheese topping is fully melted and the mixture is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, then garnish with the basil and serve.

CHEESE LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan.
• Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and cheese in a large bowl. Mix in milk and melted butter. Stir to form a soft dough. Spoon dough into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 34 to 40 minutes. Remove from pan to cool.