Macaroni and Cheese: Which style?

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (jimBoSF)

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:31:56 GMT

I can't think of a bad style of Mac and cheese, unless it doesn't have enough cheese.

think my favorite has become deep fried mac and cheese balls, since having them on the road in Maryland. I forget the name of that diner but we had seen it on TV. Insane good

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (leethebard)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:18:29 GMT

Love mac and cheese, but growing up in the 50's in our Italian household, mon considered it purely a side dish...no mac and cheese dinners....Pasta was a dinner...on Sunday...or a first course on holidays...mac and cheese, side dish!!!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (kevincad)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:00:19 GMT

MellowRoast

Baked, nice and thick, not runny. With good cheddar.

Yes! My Aunt made the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten anywhere, and I've eaten a LOT. Simply a pound of macaroni, cooked al dente, a block of extra sharp New York Cheddar (ok, I guess you could use other extra sharp cheddar!) a can of evaporated milk, a little salt. When the macaroni is done, drain, immediately add the block of cheddar that you've grated, and stir to melt, add the can of evap milk, then enough water to ensure the macaroni is covered by liquid, put in a casserole dish, into a 350 degree oven for 45 or so minutes.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (SeamusD)

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:16:22 GMT

NascarDad

the youngest in my family is very picky ever since he had an allergic reaction to some food. Ever since then he won't try much new ever, and is very picky. To him, all he wants is the Kraft M&C and that's it. It is one of about 4 foods he eats. So we keep it around for him even though my wife would prefer to make homemade.

He is so stubborn that he actually wont eat something he doesn't trust to the point that he is sick from low blood sugar. Of course a trip to the emergency room in an ambulance at 20 months old probably sticks with you when your still just 3.

I went through the same thing, but I was 20. I ended up severely malnourished and a bout with salmonella almost did me in. Hopefully you'll be able to help him overcome his anxiety about food and get him eating more things. I got tested to find out what I was sensitive to, to know what to avoid, and it helped my anxiety about having a reaction diminish greatly. Now I have a hard time keeping the pounds off as opposed to putting them on.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (NascarDad)

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:07:27 GMT

the youngest in my family is very picky ever since he had an allergic reaction to some food. Ever since then he won't try much new ever, and is very picky. To him, all he wants is the Kraft M&C and that's it. It is one of about 4 foods he eats. So we keep it around for him even though my wife would prefer to make homemade.

He is so stubborn that he actually wont eat something he doesn't trust to the point that he is sick from low blood sugar. Of course a trip to the emergency room in an ambulance at 20 months old probably sticks with you when your still just 3.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (MellowRoast)

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:25:48 GMT

ann peeples

I agree, MellowRoast.For me, a good cheddar is a must-none of the bagged stuff but a sharp one I need to grate myself!

You got that right. Just hand me a box grater and I'll go to town with it. Can't handle that doggone cellulose powder.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (ces1948)

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:56:38 GMT

It may be blasphemy but I like the Bob Evans brand in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. Also love the Bob Evans mashed potatoes from the same section.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (ann peeples)

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:08:43 GMT

I agree, MellowRoast.For me, a good cheddar is a must-none of the bagged stuff but a sharp one I need to grate myself!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (MellowRoast)

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:22:01 GMT

Baked, nice and thick, not runny. With good cheddar.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (claracamille)

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:23:43 GMT

Mac & cheese was always one of my go to dinners when all 4 kids were at home. Now it is one of the grandchildrens' favorite. Here is my recipe, not fancy, but very comforting.
Macaroni & cheese
1 lb box of macaroni, cooked to al dente.
3 T butter
3 T flour
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 C milk
1/2 lb velveeta, cut into chunks
2 C shredded mild cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350
In large plastic bowl(the largest & tallest that will fit into your microwave, when the sauce boils, it will come up & you want a deep bowl to prevent a boilover) melt butter in microwave, whisk in flour & salt , then whisk in milk. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, whisk, microwave 2 minutes, whisk again,repeat until sauce is thick. Add Velveeta, stir until Velveeta is melted. Add cooked macaroni,stir to combine, add shredded cheese. Pour into greased( use butter) 9x13 baking dish, bake 3-35 minutes, until mac & cheese is bubbling & the edges start to brown.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (SeamusD)

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:37:02 GMT

I'll make it in the oven with homemade sauce and bread crumb topping if I'm making it for other people... out of the box with some extra cheddar and splashed with Tapatio once in the bowl, if it's just me. I also like to put a scoop of chili on top if I have some in the fridge/freezer.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (zimm3839)

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:10:26 GMT

Baked with a cream sauce and real cheese... Panko on top or not... Either way its awsome !!!!!!!!!!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (nom nom nom)

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:07:36 GMT

The box is nostalgic. It seems to make sense, if you are selling street food, to attempt to appeal to your clientele. Both versions are easy to make and both serve a purpose. What do personal preference and successful selling have to do with one another?

The mini-fridge in my trailer holds my personal preferences. The deep freeze and the full-sized fridge hold my payload...never the twain shall meet.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (leethebard)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:49:28 GMT

Sounds great!!!!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (ann peeples)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:58:46 GMT

Leethebard-completely forgot My Mom used to add sliced tomato on top of her baked mac and cheese!I knew I was missing something!I do not make a sauce with the cheese-I mix my flour, milk, onion and dry mustard-mix it in the cooked noodles, than mix in about 20 oz.of very sharp shredded cheddar.Bake with no bread crumb topping.My basic recipe is from JPRfeff, and its a winner!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (mar52)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:44:02 GMT

Make a bechamel. Add a little dry mustard if it's your preference. Add lots of cheese and then add some more.

Stir al dente elbow macaroni into sauce. You can add more cheese at this point. (Never Velveeta) Bake with or without topping.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (TrentonDog)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:40:14 GMT

Made a great topping for baked mac and cheese last night from leftovers. I pounded some leftover dry stuffing (from thanksgiving) into crumbs, added some butter and chopped up pre-cooked bacon. Spread over the casserole dish, and delicious!

The recipe I used for baked is similar to the Alton Brown recipe posted except there is no bay leaf and some worcestershire sauce in the mix.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (leethebard)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:34:14 GMT

Oh...she might layer in more thin slices of velveta across the mac.....made it nice and creamy and cheesy!!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (leethebard)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:32:43 GMT

analei

i prefer baked, but stovetop is nice.
A friend of mine from Worchester, MA, tells me that her recipe is style used in that area of the world.

Pasta plus lots of cheddar cheese, and some milk and butter..dump it all into a buttered glass dish, mix, then add more cheese on top and bake it. Is this true, or just her preference?

Very true...the same way my mom made it in the 50's...only she used velveta that she melted in the butter and milk...then put in an oven safe bowl with Elbow macaroni(or small shells) and bake...sometimes she'd put Italian breadcrumbs on top....once in a while she'd also add a sliced up canned tomato...dad liked it that way...with medium shells(he said the shells held the sauce better!!!)

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (analei)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:49:38 GMT

i prefer baked, but stovetop is nice.
A friend of mine from Worchester, MA, tells me that her recipe is style used in that area of the world.

Pasta plus lots of cheddar cheese, and some milk and butter..dump it all into a buttered glass dish, mix, then add more cheese on top and bake it. Is this true, or just her preference?

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (Michael Hoffman)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:40:46 GMT

I think that's an excellent idea.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (kishkaeater)

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:07:11 GMT

Think I'm going to try a blow torch on the top of mine.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (ChrisOC)

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 14:03:33 GMT

Has amyone ever tried the $5.99 mac & cheese at the supermarket hot bar?

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (1bbqboy)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:53:12 GMT

though I haven't had the pleasure of superdog's,
it makes a great dish.
Think chili 5 way but with the cheese deliciously melted.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (leethebard)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:51:37 GMT

When we were growing up.mom never called it macaroni and cheese...it was always "baked macaroni"!!!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (SuperDog)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:44:38 GMT

I found much better control of doneness and crustiness doing elbow mac mix with cheese sauce, than baking the whole thing in the oven. Also, I found that reheating this mac and cheese is a lot better than the bake ones. If you like a crust on top, you can always put that in the oven with the boiler on to acheive that. I am sure both ways it is delicious, and it is a matter of preference.

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (Greymo)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:28:29 GMT

I have never had top pf the stove macaroni and cheese. I love it baked and would never change. I do admit to making the Blue box stuff for my youngest grandaughter. She calls mine Macaroni and cheese and she calls the blue box stuff "mac and cheese". She knows her stuff!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (Foodbme)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:19:34 GMT

Baked or boiled it's all still good!
I prefer baked cause I like the Crust on top!

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (Sundancer7)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:51:27 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Isn't macaroni and cheese normally baked?

Michael, my daughter always bakes it and I never do. I guess it is a matter of taste. I just boil the noodles and add my own personal choice of cheese and whatever else I want to add.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Re:Macaroni and Cheese: Which style? (Michael Hoffman)

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:04:12 GMT

Isn't macaroni and cheese normally baked?