Mac and Cheese

Classic Mac and Cheese Recipe

Hello! We're going to prepare a classic and comforting recipe that never fails: Mac and Cheese. This dish combines the smoothness of pasta with an intense cheddar cheese flavor, offering a theatrical experience in every bite. Perfect to enjoy at home, any day and with the whole family.

Preparation time

To organize your kitchen without stress, here are the times needed to prepare this delicious Mac and Cheese:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 50 minutes
• Total: 65 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the pasta

• 3 1/2 cups uncooked macaroni (elbow macaroni)

For the sauce

• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• A few drops hot sauce (optional)
• 3 1/2 cups whole milk
• 5 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
• Optional: crumbled bacon and black pepper for garnish

Note: If you can't find macaroni, you can substitute with shell-shaped pasta, cavatappi, or penne. As for cheddar cheese, if you're looking for a different flavor, you can mix with cheeses like fontina, Swiss, or Parmesan to give a unique touch to your Mac and Cheese.

Utensils we will use

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Ladle or wooden spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Colander for draining the pasta
• Casserole or deep pan for making the sauce (a Dutch oven type pot is ideal, but if you don't have one, a deep pan will do)
• Baking dish (approximately 33×23 cm ungreased)
• Cheese grater

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta

1. Boil water: Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Add macaroni: Cook the pasta until al dente, meaning a little firm to the bite, about 7-8 minutes.
3. Drain: Use a colander to drain the water and set aside the pasta for mixing with the sauce. Prevent it from cooling completely so it doesn't stick.

2. Prepare the cheese sauce (Roux)

1. Melt the butter: In the same pot or pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the flour: Add the flour little by little while stirring to form a homogeneous mixture, known as a roux, which will serve to thicken the sauce.
3. Incorporate spices: Add salt, mustard powder, black pepper, and a few drops of hot sauce for a touch of CheesyFlavor intense. Continue stirring until it bubbles, approximately 1 minute.
4. Add the milk: Pour in the milk little by little while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken.
5. Mix with cheese: Incorporate 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts and the sauce is creamy and smooth.

3. Combine pasta and sauce

1. Combine ingredients: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the pan with the cheese sauce and mix carefully so that each macaroni is well coated.

4. Bake

1. Prepare baking dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to an ungreased baking dish.
2. Cover and bake: Cover with aluminum foil or a lid and bake at 175ºC (350ºF) for 45 to 50 minutes, until the sauce bubbles and sets.
3. Add the final touch: Uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese on top. Return to the oven uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes for the cheese to gratinate and form a delicious GoldenMacaroni.

To finish and serve

Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving so that it sets perfectly. If you like a smoky touch, you can add crumbled bacon and a little freshly ground pepper before serving. This dish goes very well with a fresh salad, for example, a pasta salad with chicken and yogurt which adds a contrast of texture and freshness.

I want to share these tips for a perfect Mac and Cheese

• Freshly grated cheese: Grating the cheese just before using it helps it melt better and avoids a gummy texture.
• Quality butter: Choose unsalted, fresh, and good quality butter to enhance creaminess.
• Don't overcook: Watch the pasta so that it is al dente; overcooked pasta loses texture and makes the dish heavy.
• Cover for baking: Keeping it covered while baking prevents the pasta from drying out and keeps the TheCreamyPasta.
• Customize the sauce: Adding a pinch of mustard powder and hot sauce gives a special and balanced character CheesyFlavor, do not omit it.

Approximate Nutritional Information per serving

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Proteins: 20 g
• Fats: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g

Values are estimates based on common ingredients and standard portions.

4 common mistakes when making Mac and Cheese and how to avoid them

• Pre-grated cheese: This type of cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect the texture. Solution: always grate fresh cheese for a better result.
• Overcooked pasta: Soft pasta makes the dish heavy and pasty. Solution: pay attention to cooking time so it remains firm.
• Unthickened sauce: Not whisking the roux well can create lumps. Solution: always mix during cooking with a whisk to avoid lumps.
• Baking uncovered: This causes the pasta to dry out. Solution: cover the dish with aluminum foil to maintain moisture.

When is it ideal to enjoy a good Mac and Cheese?

This dish is the king of comfort foods, ideal for enjoying on cold days or when you're looking for something that pleases the whole family. Its simplicity makes it perfect for quick dinners or even for sharing at informal celebrations. Furthermore, it can be an excellent dish for children and people who enjoy a DeliciousCheese and smooth texture, which makes Mac and Cheese a true CheeseCorner in your kitchen.

Comparison between Mac and Cheese and similar recipes

5 keys that will make your Mac and Cheese perfect

• Use whole milk: Provides the necessary fat for a silky and creamy sauce that coats every macaroni.
• Mind the pasta cooking: Al dente is the ideal point for the dish to maintain texture without falling apart.
• Grate the cheese yourself: Freshly grated cheese melts better and avoids a gummy texture.
• Prepare a good roux: This base mixture gives the sauce body and good thickness, preventing it from being watery.
• Bake covered: To maintain creaminess and prevent the surface from drying out.

Want to improve your Mac and Cheese? Try these 3 ideas that help a lot

• Add mustard powder: Enhances the cheese flavor without being invasive, achieving a perfect balance on the palate.
• A spicy touch with chili sauce: Just a few drops in the sauce give personality and depth to the recipe.
• Crispy on the surface: Breadcrumbs with melted butter on top before baking provide a delicious contrast.

Seeing a visual step-by-step is always useful to better understand textures and cooking times.

Reviewing different techniques will allow you to adapt your Mac and Cheese according to what you have at home or your preferences.

Mac and Cheese

Mac And Cheese: step-by-step recipe baked to perfection with perfect texture. Ideal for sharing. Serve immediately and adjust spiciness and salt to your taste.

Type: Recipe

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: mac, and, cheese, Mexican, desserts, recipe, easy, homemade

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 200 kcal

Preparation Time: PT15M

Cooking Time: PT20M

Total Time: PT35M

Recipe Ingredients:

• 200 g of Macaroni and Cheese (elbow pasta or ElbowCheese)
• 150 g of Block Cheddar Cheese and Mac, grated
• 100 ml whole milk
• 30 g of butter
• 15 g of wheat flour
• A touch of ground black pepper
• Cayenne powder, optional for a spicy touch
• Breadcrumbs seasoned with melted butter
• Optional: Gruyère or Parmesan cheese for variations

Recipe Instructions:

Preparation: :

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: :

Cooking: 20 minutes

Total: :

Total: 35 minutes

Servings: :

Servings: 4-6 units

Difficulty::

Difficulty: Medium

Editor's Rating:
4.6