Best Easy Copycat Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and set a 1 1/2 quart heatproof dish, such as a souffle pan in the oven to warm. Mix bread crumb ingredients together in a small baking pan set aside.
• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large soup kettle. Add 1 1/2 tsp. salt and macaroni; cook until almost tender, but still a little firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a preheated dish and stir in butter to melt. Meanwhile, mix eggs, 1 cup evaporated milk, pepper sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt (less if you are using American cheese) 1/4 teaspoon pepper and mustard mixture in a small bowl.
• Pour egg mixture over noodles along with three-fourths of cheese; stir until thoroughly combined and cheese starts to melt. Place breadcrumbs in an oven to toast until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Place the pan of macaroni and cheese in the oven too and bake for 5 minutes. Remove pan from oven; thoroughly stir macaroni mixture adding a little remaining milk and cheese. Return to oven and cook 5 minutes longer.
• Remove macaroni pan from oven and stir thoroughly so that macaroni and cheese cook evenly adding additional cheese and milk if mixture does not look moist and creamy. Return to the oven for a total of 20 minutes, removing the pan from oven once more to stir in remaining milk and cheese. Serve immediately, sprinkled with breadcrumbs. Please note: I personally forgo the breadcrumbs. Once again I can't even tell you how good this stuff is!

CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

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.