Imen Dridi Joy Of Cooking Macaroni and Cheese is made with elbow macaroni, sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, milk, onion, bay leaf, paprika, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. It serves 6, takes about 45 minutes to prepare and bake, offering a creamy, comforting, and cheesy dish.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Macaroni And Cheese Recipe:
- Classic Comfort Food: It embodies the essence of comfort food, with its creamy, cheesy goodness that brings back fond memories and creates new ones.
- Rich and Creamy Texture: The combination of a buttery roux, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese creates a sauce that’s velvety and rich, coating each macaroni noodle perfectly.
- Depth of Flavor: With ingredients like minced onion, bay leaf, paprika, and dry mustard, this dish has layers of flavor that elevate it beyond the ordinary.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
- Perfect for Gatherings: It serves six, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering where you want to impress with minimal effort.
- Loved by All Ages: From kids to adults, everyone loves macaroni and cheese, ensuring that this dish will be a hit with the entire family.
❓ What Is Joy Of Cooking Macaroni And Cheese Recipe?
Joy of Cooking Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a timeless comfort dish featuring elbow macaroni enveloped in a creamy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce, seasoned with onion, paprika, and mustard, and finished with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. It’s a classic favorite for all ages.
🧀 Joy Of Cooking Macaroni And Cheese Ingredients
- 2 Cups Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- 2 1/4 Cups sharp Cheddar cheese Grated
- 2 Tbl Butter
- 2 Tbl Flour
- 2 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Onion Minced
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1/4 Tsp Paprika
- 1/4 Tsp Dry mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tbl Butter
- 1/2 Cup Fresh breadcrumbs
🥘 How To Make Joy Of Cooking Macaroni And Cheese
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- Just follow the directions and cook the pasta in salted water.
- To make a roux, melt the butter in a pot and add the flour. Stir the food all the time for 3 minutes.
- Add the milk and mix it in. Put in the mustard, an onion, bay leaf, and pepper. Cook slowly while stirring often for 15 minutes.
- Take it off the heat and add two thirds of the cheese. Add pepper and salt to taste. Mix in the macaroni.
- Put half of the mixture into a baking dish that has been oiled, and then top with half of the cheese that is left. Add the rest of the pasta and cheese on top.
- Heat some butter in a small pan and add the breadcrumbs. Add some on top. Put it in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are lightly browned. Allow to sit for five minutes before serving.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Pasta Doneness: Cook your pasta al dente since it will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents it from becoming too mushy.
- Roux Consistency: When making the roux, ensure it’s smooth and free of lumps. This is the base of your sauce, so its consistency is key to a creamy dish.
- Seasoning Layers: Season your cooking water well with salt. It’s the first step to building flavor, ensuring the pasta itself isn’t bland.
- Infuse Your Milk: Heating the milk with the onion and bay leaf before adding it to the roux can infuse additional flavors into the sauce.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the macaroni and cheese to sit for a few minutes after baking helps it set, making serving easier and enhancing the flavors.
🧆 What To Serve With Macaroni And Cheese?
Serve macaroni and cheese with a crisp green salad, steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans, garlic bread, or roasted Brussels sprouts for a heartier meal, add grilled chicken, meatballs, or BBQ ribs don’t forget a light, fruity dessert to balance the richness.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese?
- Refrigerate: Place cooled Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage freeze Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese?
- In The Oven: Preheat to 350°F Add a splash of milk cover your Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese with foil and heat it for 20 minutes or until hot.
- In The Microwave: Add a little milk cover Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese and heat on medium for 3-5 minutes, stirring once, until hot.
FAQ’S:
Can I use different types of cheese in macaroni and cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with various cheeses to find your preferred taste combining sharp cheddar with creamy cheeses like Gouda, Monterey Jack, or Fontina can add depth and richness. Grated Parmesan or Pecorino can introduce a nutty flavor.
How can I make my macaroni and cheese creamier?
To achieve a creamier texture, ensure you’re using enough liquid (milk or cream) and melting the cheese slowly into the sauce. Adding a small amount of cream cheese or evaporated milk can also enhance creaminess.
What’s the best pasta shape for macaroni and cheese?
Elbow macaroni is traditional, but any pasta that can hold sauce well, such as shells, cavatappi, or rigatoni, is a good choice. Their nooks and crannies catch more of the delicious sauce.
How do I prevent my macaroni and cheese from being grainy?
Graininess can result from overheating the cheese or using pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents. Shred your cheese from a block and add it to the sauce off the heat for a smoother consistency.
How can I add a crunchy topping to my macaroni and cheese?
Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking for a gluten-free option, use crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
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Joy Of Cooking Macaroni And Cheese Nutrition Facts:
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 609.2
- Total Fat: 13.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.3 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 49.5 mg
- Sodium: 229.7 mg
- Potassium: 201.0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 18.6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.7 g
- Sugars: 3.9 g
- Protein: 10.9 g
Joy Of Cooking Macaroni And Cheese
Description
Joy Of Cooking Macaroni and Cheese is made with elbow macaroni, sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, milk, onion, bay leaf, paprika, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. It serves 6, takes about 45 minutes to prepare and bake, offering a creamy, comforting, and cheesy dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- Just follow the directions and cook the pasta in salted water.
- To make a roux, melt the butter in a pot and add the flour. Stir the food all the time for 3 minutes.
- Add the milk and mix it in. Put in the mustard, an onion, bay leaf, and pepper. Cook slowly while stirring often for 15 minutes.
- Take it off the heat and add two thirds of the cheese. Add pepper and salt to taste. Mix in the macaroni.
- Put half of the mixture into a baking dish that has been oiled, and then top with half of the cheese that is left. Add the rest of the pasta and cheese on top.
- Heat some butter in a small pan and add the breadcrumbs. Add some on top. Put it in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are lightly browned. Allow to sit for five minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pasta Doneness: Cook your pasta al dente since it will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents it from becoming too mushy.
- Roux Consistency: When making the roux, ensure it’s smooth and free of lumps. This is the base of your sauce, so its consistency is key to a creamy dish.
- Seasoning Layers: Season your cooking water well with salt. It’s the first step to building flavor, ensuring the pasta itself isn’t bland.
- Infuse Your Milk: Heating the milk with the onion and bay leaf before adding it to the roux can infuse additional flavors into the sauce.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the macaroni and cheese to sit for a few minutes after baking helps it set, making serving easier and enhancing the flavors.
