Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta made by cooking pasta then tossing it in a creamy cheese sauce. Macaroni and Cheese is a quick, easy pasta dish which will be loved by all. Macaroni and Cheese is popular all around the world and this recipe is a must try for its ease and taste. Recipe included with step by step pictures and video.
This Mac and Cheese is very simple and easy to make. Stove top Macaroni and Cheese uses staple ingredients in your pantry and comes together very quickly. This is a perfect dish if you are looking for special weekend dinner. It is a popular quick fix meal for kids.
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About Mac and Cheese
Macaroni is a type of pasta and cheese is loaded in this dish hence the name Mac and Cheese. Macaroni and Cheese is popularly known as Mac and Cheese. This recipe is made from scratch and tastes so delicious. You can see how quick and easy it comes together.
Mac and Cheese is made by first cooking pasta then tossing it a rich creamy milk based cheesy sauce. A different combination of cheese is used for this recipe but I have given alternates for cheese varieties which can be easily found in supermarkets.
Mac and cheese is quick and easy to make once you know how to make the sauce perfectly. It is really no rocket science just you need to note down the tips and trick to make the creamy cheese sauce.
Mac and Cheese is made using a milk and cheese based white sauce. This is more like our regular white sauce pasta minus vegetables and loaded with cheesy goodness that kids will love it for sure.
Mac and cheese can be made in stove or baked. I have a separate recipe for baked mac and cheese, you can check that too if you are interested.
Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is one of the main ingredient used here. The Classic Mac and Cheese uses a special variety of cheddar cheese which is orange in color which isnt readily available everywhere but you can use regukar Cheddar itself. I was fortunate enough to find orange cheddar cheese here in Coimbatore.
Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here so you can either use regular white cheddar cheese or orange cheddar cheese. The other cheese can be a combination of either mozarella or processed or gouda cheese.
Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Macaroni Pasta - Macaroni Pasta variety is preferred for this recipe and I would suggest to stick with it. However you can use any small variety pasta.
- Milk - Use full cream milk for a creamy rich sauce.
- Cheese - Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here, in addition you can add processed or mozarella cheese.
- Flour - Usually maida is used but you can replace it with wheat flour too.
- Spices - Nutmeg, paprika and pepper powder are used here.
- Oil - is added while cooking pasta.
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Mac and Cheese Recipe Step by Step
1.Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large pot. Get ready with all other ingredients.When water starts to boil add 1 teaspoon olive oil along with salt.
2. Let it boil well.
3.Add 1 heaped cup macaroni pasta variety.
4.Give a quick mix.
5.Cook until fork tender. It may take 5-6 mins depending upon the pasta variety and size. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooked water for later use.
6.Drain water and Set aside.
7.Rinse it with cold water to prevent further cooking. Set it aside.
8.Keep the flame in low. Now to a heavy bottomed pot add 2 tablespoon butter, let it melt slightly - give a quick whisk.
9.Add 2 tablespoon flour.
10.Whisk quickly until no dry flour is seen.
11.Immediately add 2 cups milk(boiled, cooled).
12.Keep whisking and stirring. Once it starts to thicken switch to a spatula.
13.Keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps. In few minutes it turns slightly thick coating the ladle.
14.Now add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon pepper powder, ½ teaspoon paprika powder and a pinch of nutmeg powder.
15.Mix it well.
16.Now add grated 1 cup orange cheddar cheese and ½ cup processed or mozarella cheese - I used processed cheese.
17.Whisk well until cheese melts and it is smooth and creamy.
18.Add cooked macaroni pasta.
19.Mix it well. Let it be goey only then while baking it will not get dried up.
20.Mac and Cheese is ready to serve as such too. But we are making baked version so lets proceed to below steps.
21.See how creamy and goey it is. Set aside.
Enjoy hot!
Expert Tips
- Pasta - Macaroni pasta is best suited for this recipe. However you can use other varieties of pasta too.
- Milk - Use farm fresh full cream milk. Use boiled warm milk, I would not recommend using raw milk.
- Cheese - You can use a combination of cheese. Make sure to buy a block, grate it and then use to ensure that the cheese melts properly.
- Adding cheese - Simmer and then add cheese. Whisk continuously when adding milk to avoid lumps.
- Flame - Cook in low medium flame so that cheese melts and does not get burnt.
- Serving - Always serve hot and immediately from stove. The taste changes once it cools down.
Serving & Storage
Serve it hot with toasted bread or it tastes great as such too. I wouldn't recommend to store as it tastes great when hot also the consistency of mac and cheese changes when cooled or stored. So always Serve hot!
FAQS
1.What is Mac and Cheese?
Macaroni is a type of pasta and cheese is loaded in this dish hence the name Mac and Cheese. Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta made by cooking pasta then tossing it in a milk and cheese sauce.
2.What is the best cheese to use for Mac and Cheese?
Cheddar cheese is a must for this recipe. It is ok to use yellow cheddar cheese if you don't get orange cheddar cheese. In addition use a combination of gowda cheese, mozarella cheese and processed cheese.
3.Why does my cheese sauce turn grainy?
This happens when pre-shredded cheese is used which has additives or when heat is high. Make sure to use freshly grated cheese and cook in low medium flame to avoid it.
4. Can I make mac and cheese without flour?
Yes. You can make a one-pot mac and cheese where pasta starch thickens the sauce. You can even use cream + cheese for making a thick sauce.
5.Can I bake mac and cheese after cooking it?
Yes. Transfer cooked mac and cheese to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake at 190°C for 25-30 minutes.
If you have any more questions about this Mac and Cheese Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Mac and Cheese Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
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Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
To cook pasta
- 1 cup pasta
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- salt to taste
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon maida
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- a pinch nutmeg powder
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup regular cheese
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large pot. Get ready with all other ingredients.When water starts to boil add 1 teaspoon olive oil along with salt.
- Let it boil well.
- Add 1 heaped cup macaroni pasta variety.
- Give a quick mix.
- Cook until fork tender. It may take 5-6 mins depending upon the pasta variety and size. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooked water for later use.
- Drain water and Set aside.
- Rinse it with cold water to prevent further cooking. Set it aside.
- Keep the flame in low. Now to a heavy bottomed pot add 2 tablespoon butter, let it melt slightly - give a quick whisk.
- Add 2 tablespoon maida.
- Whisk quickly until no dry flour is seen.
- Immediately add 2 cups milk(boiled, cooled).
- Keep whisking and stirring. Once it starts to thicken switch to a spatula.
- Keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps.In few minutes it turns slightly thick coating the laddle.
- Now add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon pepper powder, ½ teaspoon paprika powder and a pinch of nutmeg powder.
- Mix it well.
- Now add grated 1 cup orange cheddar cheese and ½ cup processed or mozarella cheese - I used processed cheese.
- Whisk well until cheese melts and it is smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked macaroni pasta.
- Mix it well. Let it be goey only then while baking it will not get dried up.
- Mac and Cheese is ready to serve as such too.
Notes
- Macaroni pasta is best suited for this recipe.
- You can even use ramekins to bake for individual serving.I baked in 3 small oven proof trays.
- Use boiled warm milk, I would not recommend using raw milk.
- If you do no have panko breadcrumbs you can use regular breadcrumbs too.
- Simmer and then add cheese. Whisk continously when adding milk to avoid lumps.
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