Best Fried Pimento Mac And Cheese Recipes

PIMENTO MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F and lightly butter a 10 inch cast iron skillet.
• Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan and whisk in the flour, paprika, and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat, whisking constantly.
• While whisking, add the milk and cream slowly to avoid lumps. Whisk or stir with a silicone spoonula until all the milk and cream are incorporated. Keep cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture ALMOST comes to a boil, and thickens. Do not let it boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat (this is important) and let it cool for a minute or two.
• Add the shredded cheese to the pot, stirring until the cheese has completely melted. This may take a few minutes. If necessary you can put the pot back on the stove to gently heat until the cheese melts.
• Stir in the pimentos and cooked pasta and turn into your buttered skillet.
• Mix the cracker crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly saturated.
• Top with the crumb mixture, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.

PIMIENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, mushrooms and 2 teaspoons thyme. Cook, tossing occasionally, until tender and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables; cook 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and milk and bring to a boil, stirring, until the mixture is thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tuna and 1/2 cup pimiento cheese; stir until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pasta until combined; season with salt and pepper.
• Dollop the remaining 1/2 cup pimiento cheese on the pasta mixture and broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 1 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the cracker crumbs and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and broil until the crackers begin to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let cool 10 minutes.

FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain. Stir in the 2 tablespoons butter, the 1/4 cup milk, and the cheese packet from the package.
• While the macaroni is still hot, stir in the Cheddar cheese, pimento cheese spread, and Italian cheese blend, and continue to stir until melted. Place the macaroni and cheese mixture in a container and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the macaroni mixture from the refrigerator, and, using a cookie scoop, scoop into balls. Place mac balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Whisk the bread crumbs with the paprika, chili powder, black pepper, sugar, and cayenne in a shallow dish; set aside. Beat the eggs with the 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl. Remove the mac balls from the freezer, coat in the egg wash, and then dredge in breading.
• Fry the mac balls in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain briefly on a paper towel-lined plate; serve hot.

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
• While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.