Best Caprese Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     dinner, lunch, casseroles, pastas, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces sharp or white Cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces fontina or Gruyère, grated
1 cup coarse bread crumbs or panko
4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1076, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 31 grams, Sodium 1027 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 1 gram

CAPRESE MACARONI SALAD



Caprese Macaroni Salad image

When fresh tomatoes and basil are abundant in the summer, I like to make this wonderful Caprese macaroni salad. -Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Italian salad dressing mix
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, slivered
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, dressing mix, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, mozzarella and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Top with basil and Parmesan before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 31g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 458mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

CAPRESE MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Caprese Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, whole milk, paprika, ground black pepper, kosher salt, baby spinach, shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese, small tomatoes, fresh basil

Provided by Pierce Abernathy

Categories     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb elbow macaroni, uncooked
¼ cup unsalted butter, 1/2 stick
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups whole milk
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 cups baby spinach
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced, optional
3 small tomatoes, sliced
3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over low heat until foamy. Add the flour and stir until completely smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • While stirring, gradually add the milk and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 4 minutes. Season with the paprika, pepper, and salt.
  • Fold in the spinach and stir until wilted. Add 1½ cups (150 g) of shredded mozzarella and stir until completely melted.
  • Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat in the sauce.
  • Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta, then top with the fresh mozzarella if using. Arrange the tomato slices on top.
  • Bake until browned and bubbling, about 25 minutes.
  • Top with basil before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1055 calories, Carbohydrate 112 grams, Fat 43 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 53 grams, Sugar 16 grams

TOMATO MAC 'N' CHEESE



Tomato Mac 'n' Cheese image

White cheddar cheese and tomatoes add a new dimension to macaroni and cheese.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 pound white cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the cheese, salt, mustard and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Drain pasta; stir into cheese sauce. Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in tomatoes just until combined.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 655 calories, Fat 36g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 111mg cholesterol, Sodium 789mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

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