Not So Naughty Macaroni Cheese Food

PIONEER WOMAN'S NOT YOUR GRANNY'S MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil pasta until al dente.
• In a large skillet, add olive oil and saute garlic and vegetables over medium heat for a couple of minutes.
• Add in canned chilies and stir around, then turn off heat.
• Drain pasta and add it to skillet.
• Pour on cream, add cheese, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir gently.
• At the end, add 2 tablespoons butter and stir again. Check seasonings and serve.
• Serve with juicy steak, with grilled shrimp, chicken, or on its own. It'll change your life for the better.

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Butter a large rectangular baking dish and set it aside.
• Combine the stock and wine, bring to a boil and reduce it to 3/4 cup.
• bring the cream to a boil and reduce it to 3 cups.
• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan.
• Add the garlic and shallots and cook them until they are soft, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the reduced stock and cream.
• Whisk in the mustard.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the cheeses, stirring often until they have melted.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dents.
• Drain and toss it with the butter.
• Add the tomato, cayenne and Worcestershire sauce to the cheese mixture and heat the sauce thoroughly.
• Pour the cheese sauce over over the pasta, tossing well.
• Transfer to the baking dish.
• Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan cheese.
• Broil until the cheese melts and is golden, about 5 minutes.

NOT YOUR MAMA'S MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pot bring water to boil and salt to boil. Add pasta and cook for half the time recommended on the box. Usually 5-6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour your milk into a large microwave safe bowl and heat until milk is hot, about 3-4 minutes.
• While the milk is heating, dump all of your cheese into a large bowl, removing one cup or so for the top, and add your cornstarch. Mix until all of the cheese is lightly coated in the starch. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• When milk is hot, start adding your cheese a handful at a time until each addition is melted. The milk will likely have to go back into the microwave to heat back up as the cheese will cool it down.
• When pasta is ready, drain and put into a 13x9 inch casserole dish sprayed with non stick spray. Pour sauce over the top and push around so that the sauce begins to move inside the pasta tubes.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

NO FAIL MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
• In a saucepan, heat cream of mushroom soup over medium heat. Stir in milk and cheeses. Cook over low heat until cheese has melted and the sauce is a little thick. Add drained pasta and stir well.
• ** Cook time will vary according to the pasta you use. The cheese sauce will be ready in less than 10 minutes.
• ** For additional pizzazz, you could place finished mac & cheese in a oven-safe dish, top with breadcrumbs and/or bacon bits and place in 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until breadcrumbs have browned.

NIF'S CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE (BAKE OR NO BAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Bring water to a boil and add chicken bouillon. Cook pasta in water for 1-2 minutes LESS than the package instructs. You want it to be more al dente than what you would typically cook it to.
• Meanwhile, add butter, flour, garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper to a saucepan. Stir together until butter is fully melted. Whisk in milk and stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Set aside.
• Strain pasta when done. Return to pot and stir in cheese sauce.
• Spray 4 litre (4 quart) casserole dish and pour in pasta and cheese sauce.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top and bake for 20 minutes.
• *** If you don't want to bake this, cook pasta to desired doneness, mix with sauce and serve.

NOT-SO-NAUGHTY MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil the macaroni according to package directions until al dente.
• In a large bowl, combine everything except the shredded cheese.
• Microwave for 2-3 minutes, checking periodically, until the butter is melted.
• Stir until smooth.
• Drain the macaroni and add to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
• In a lightly oiled 9x13 pan, layer 1/2 of the macaroni mixture. Top with half of the shredded cheese.
• Repeat with the other half of the noodles, finishing with shredded cheese on top.
• Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and browned to your liking.
• NOTE: I have experimented with different combinations of cheese. Cheddar is a great standby, but try adding a little pepper jack to the mix, or even a little bit of bleu for some bite.