How do I make perfect Macarroni and Cheese?

Delicious!!

Ingredients

250g/9oz macaroni

40g/1½oz butter

40g/1½ plain flour

600ml/1pint 1½fl oz milk

250g/9oz grated cheddar

50g/2oz grated Parmesan

Method

1. Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes; drain well and set aside.

2. Melt the butter over a medium heat in a saucepan slightly larger than that used for the macaroni. Add the flour and stir to form a roux, cooking for a few minutes.

3. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time. Cook for 10-15 minutes to a thickened and smooth sauce.

4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to hot.

5. Remove the sauce from the hob, add 175g/6oz of the cheese and stir until the cheese is well combined and melted.

6. Add the macaroni to the sauce and mix well. Transfer to a deep suitably-sized ovenproof dish.

7. Sprinkle over the remaining cheddar and the Parmesan and place the dish under the hot grill. Cook until the cheese is browned and bubbling. Serve straightaway.

Macaroni cheese

Serves 4

Preparation time less than 30 mins

Cooking time 10 to 30 mins

Ingredients

250g/9oz macaroni

40g/1½oz butter

40g/1½ plain flour

600ml/1pint 1½fl oz milk

250g/9oz grated cheddar

50g/2oz grated Parmesan

Method

1. Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes; drain well and set aside.

2. Melt the butter over a medium heat in a saucepan slightly larger than that used for the macaroni. Add the flour and stir to form a roux, cooking for a few minutes.

3. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time. Cook for 10-15 minutes to a thickened and smooth sauce.

4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to hot.

5. Remove the sauce from the hob, add 175g/6oz of the cheese and stir until the cheese is well combined and melted.

6. Add the macaroni to the sauce and mix well. Transfer to a deep suitably-sized ovenproof dish.

7. Sprinkle over the remaining cheddar and the Parmesan and place the dish under the hot grill. Cook until the cheese is browned and bubbling. Serve straightaway.

I make it with just macaroni and cheese, ie not making a cheese sauce.

For 2 people you will need:

100g macaroni

125g cheese

small amount ham, mushroom, tomato if wanted

Pinch of salt

4 pints boiling water

Boil the macaroni in the salted water until it is just about cooked, usually 13 minutes, then drain. Meanwhile grate the cheese. Layer the macaroni and cheese in an ovenproof dish using two or three layers ie mac/chs/mac/chs/mac/chs. Bake for 10 mins at 200deg C or Gas Mark 6. You can add ham or tomato or mushrooms if you like, in with the cheese layers. Bake for 15 mins if using ham etc.

Ok here goes, this is my recipe . . . sorry I am not a measures girl so you'll have to bear with me!

Cook your macaroni in boiling salted water (enough macaroni to fill the dish you are going to use)

for the cheese sauce

melt a large knob of butter in a pan, add some plain flour until you have a paste consistency. gradually add milk to this stirring to remove lumps each time, gradually add in some strong mature cheddar for the best cheesy flavour. also add some black pepper to your sauce.

You will have to add milk until you have the consistency you like and cheese to your taste, personally I like mine very thick and cheesy for a good stodgy dish!

mix the macaroni and the cheese sauce, place in an ovenproof dish with a little grated cheese on the top )and some breadcrumbs if you would like for extra crunch)

bake until golden and bubbling.

Yummy!

once you have played around and have it how you like it, you might want to add some cherry tomatoes and chives or even some smoked bacon and red pepper for some nice variations.

enjoy.

Hi I made this once and it was delicious and not to cheesy like it is when made with one of them rubbish sauces,

If I remeber how to make it then I will tell you but I dont know how much you need of everything,

You need

macaroni

mild chedder cheese solid block

and corn flour

milk.

Cook the macaroni according to instructions,

then grate the cheese, and leave to the side, bring some milk to the boil then add the cheese to the milk, when the cheese is melted add the cornflour to thicken it, and try to get as much lumps out as possible. I had to sieve out some of the lumps but it wasnt too bad, then I add the macaroni to the mixture and there you go macaroni cheese. Yum top with more cheese or bread crumbs even both

macaroni and cheese the way my mom made it.

Macaroni & Cheese

1 lb. macaroni [cooked]

1/2 to 3/4 lb sharp cheddar [grated]

3 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

little salt

pepper

about 15 ritz crackers crushed

In large sauce pan melt butter, add flour and stir. Cook for 2 min. [med heat] slowly add milk stirring constantly. Add cheese and salt and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted. Stir in macaroni. Pour in buttered casserole dish and sprinkle crushed crackers on top. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes until top is browned and bubbly. Let set 10 min. and serve.

NOTE: can buy already shredded cheddar cheese.

I've been using Patti LaBelle's Over-The Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese recipe for about 5 years. She shared it on an episode of Oprah several years ago.

It is wonderful, delicious comfort food and uses Muenster, cheddar, Monterey Jack and Velveeta, plus lot of butter and half and half. Very rich and satisfying!

The link in Sources will take you to the recipe......I hope you decide to try it! I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Happy Cooking!

~ Maria

I make mine in a crock pot and it is creamy and so good.

12oz macaroni noodles

2-4 Tb butter

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar

1 can cheddar cheese soup

1 cup milk

Boil the noodles per package directions, drain and set aside. In a pot on the stove combine butter and shredded cheese. Stir until melted together. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese soup and milk. Combine all in a crock pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours.

You can cook this in the oven, however I think it dries it out.

I call this mac and cheese casserole

1lb spiral noodles (cooked and drained)

2 cans cheddar cheese soup

Bread crumbs

1 onion, chopped

Cook noodles as directed on package. In a casserole dish, add noodles. then pour soup over noodles and stir. sprinkle onions over that. Mix bread crumbs with butter. Sprinkle on top. cook at 350 for about 20 min. Yum!

Cant give you exact amounts.

But use any pasta shapes you want.

Make a white sauce whilst the pasta is cooking add grated Red Leicster cheese.

Mix the cooked pasta & cheese sauce sprinkle with some more cheese & then grill until nice & bubbly.