Mac And Cheese Variations Food

ORIGINAL MACARONI AND CHEESE - (WITH VARIATIONS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350. Coat the bottom of a 7x11-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a food processor, combine the breadcrumbs, butter and parmesan. Pulse on and off until the butter is completely and evenly blended into the crumbs.
• In medium saucepan, bring the broth and nutmeg to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 8-10 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolk.
• Reserving the cooking broth, drain the pasta. One tablespoon at a time, beat 1/4 cup of the reserved broth into the egg yolk. Add the pasta and toss to coat well.
• Layer the macaroni into the baking dish in three layers, sprinkling with cheddar between each. End with a layer of cheddar, then top with the bread crumb mixture.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes, until the crumb topping is nicely browned.
• Italian-Ish Macaroni Gratin: Add 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano to the breadcrumb. Increase the broth to 4 1/2 cups. Omit the nutmeg. Add 1/3 cup slivered sun-dried tomatoes when you cook the pasta. Add 1/2 cup minced fresh basil when you toss the pasta with the egg yolk. Use 1 cup cheddar and add 3/4 cup provolone.
• Healthier Macaroni Gratin: Reduce the breadcrumbs to 1 cup. Use 4 teaspoons olive oil instead of butter. Use reduced-sodium broth. Use 1 1/2 cups whole wheat macaroni . Add 1 cup cut green beans to the pasta for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Use reduced-fat cheddar.
• Turkey & Mac 'N' Cheese Casserole: Reduce the broth to 2 cups and the macaroni to 1 cup. Use a whole egg instead of an egg yolk. Beat 3/4 cup plain lowfat yogurt into the egg along with the 1/4 cup broth. Toss the macaroni with the yogurt mixture and 1 cup diced roast turkey, 1 cup peas and 1/4 cup minced chives or scallion greens. Layer with cheese and top with breadcrumbs as in the original recipe.
• Mexi-Mac: Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin to the breadcrumb mixture. Omit the nutmeg. Add 1/2 cup minced Cilantro when you toss the drained pasta with the egg yolk. Use pepper jack instead of cheddar.

MAC AND CHEESE VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water according to package directions.
• Sauté onion in butter in a large skillet for 3 to 4 minutes until soft.
• Add the garlic and sausage. Brown sausage for 2 to3 minutes until golden.
• Add the red pepper and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
• Drain pasta and toss with sausage mixture and fontina cheese.
• Adjust seasoning and add some grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Transfer to a medium baking dish brushed with melted butter.
• Sprinkle with grated fontina and/or parmesan cheese.
• Place under broiler until browned and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes.

MEXICAN MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the butter, corn, onions, red peppers, garlic and 1 teaspoon of salt to a medium saucepot set over medium-high heat. Saute until the onions are translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cumin, chile powder, cayenne pepper and flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, to make a roux, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the cold milk in a steady stream, stirring vigorously until the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until starting to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cook until the sauce is smooth and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the scallions, pepper and rigatoni and mix well to combine.
• Pour the into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle the panko evenly over the top and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Remove to a cooling rack and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the cotija, jalapeno and cilantro. Serve immediately.

TRUFFLED MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni following pack instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside to cool.
• Tip the milk and bay leaves into a pan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat. Melt the butter in a large non-stick saucepan, then stir in the flour to make a thick paste, continuing to stir for 3-4 mins. Remove and discard the bay leaves from the milk, then gradually pour it into the flour and butter mix, continuously stirring to keep the sauce smooth. Add the mustard, thyme, truffle paste and porcini powder, then stir in the taleggio cheese and mozzarella until melted slightly. Remove from the heat, tip in the macaroni and stir to coat. Scrape into an ovenproof dish. Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Sprinkle over the cheddar, breadcrumbs and parmesan, and bake for 20 mins until golden. For a crispy top, grill for 5 mins or until just golden. Serve straightaway.