Maryland Style Mac N Cheese Food

MARYLAND CRAB MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Over high heat, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the Elbow Macaroni (1 pound) and cook until al dente - about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Pick through the Lump Crab Meat (1 pound) to check for shells and set aside. Grate the Mild Yellow Cheddar (8 ounce) and Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (8 ounce) and combine in a medium-size bowl. Crush the Crab Flavored Potato Chips (1/2 cup).
• In a heavy bottom sauce pan, melt the Butter (2 1/2 tablespoon) over medium heat. Add the All-Purpose Flour (4 tablespoon) and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the roux smells like butter. If you're using whole butter, wait a few seconds until the butter stops bubbling. This means all the water is gone!
• While whisking, add the 2% Reduced Fat Milk (2 cup). Whisk vigorously to incorporate. Bring the milk to a simmer, stirring often. After about 5 minutes the Bechamel will thicken.
• Add the Old Bay® Seasoning (1 tablespoon) and slowly start to add the cheese.
• Once melted, mixed, and smooth, add in the crab meat and noodles. Transfer to a baking dish.
• Mix the plain Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup) and crushed crab chips together. Sprinkle on top of the mac and cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
• Garnish with Fresh Parsley (to taste) and enjoy!

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
• Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
• Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
• Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
• Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
• Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.