Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
https://ift.tt/2JJgwVs Bakeware for the photos in this post provided by Le Creuset. Mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. Loaded with carbs, ooey, gooey, creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy topping—it’s practically begging you to put on yoga pants and stay in for the night! For this version, I wanted something quick and simple. I also wanted it to look similar in color to the box of Kraft Mac and Cheese my children have grown to idolize. They are a little older now, so I’m ready to migrate to a more grownup version! WHAT IS THE BEST PASTA FOR MAC AND CHEESE?You want something that is sturdy and will hold the sauce within the pasta. Shapes with folds or tubes are better than bows or straight noodles. My top two choices are:
My distant second favorites are:
WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE?I prefer to shred my own cheese for two reasons. First, I can buy higher quality cheese, and second, I get a smoother texture when I shred it myself. From what I’ve read, pre-shredded cheese is less smooth because anti-caking agents are added. Will pre-shredded cheese work? Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry, go for it. But if you have a few extra minutes, shredding the cheese yourself will make the dish that much better! Pick two or three:
SKIP THE ROUX!Traditionally, macaroni and cheese starts with a roux and a béchamel sauce. Béchamel in the most basic modern sense is a combination of butter, flour, and milk. When you add cheese to the sauce, it becomes Mornay. I realize it’s sacrilege to skip a foundational sauce like this when making mac and cheese, but I did it for a couple of reasons. First, pasta is already starchy. I didn’t really need more starch in the form of flour. Second, if I can skip a step and still make tasty mac and cheese on a weeknight, I’m going to. I value my time, and so should you. THREE STEPS FOR EASY CHEESE SAUCE
SHORT ON TIME?Skip the baking step! Pour the noodles into the cheese sauce, stir to combine, and serve as-is. If you still want the crispy top on your stove-top mac and cheese, combine the ingredients for the topping, and toast in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle over your bowl and serve. STORING AND REHEATING MAC AND CHEESEThere is no easy way to tell you this: This particular baked macaroni and cheese will not reheat to its previous glory. Which doesn’t mean it isn’t good; it’s just different. You can reheat it in the oven to re-crisp the breadcrumb topping, but the mac and cheese part won’t be as creamy as it was when you first made it. Keep mac and cheese covered in your fridge, and microwave the leftovers for up to a week. HOW TO MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZEYou can freeze this unbaked casserole and then bake it later, but the mac and cheese isn’t quite as creamy as it would be if you baked it straight away. I, however, don’t mind exchanging a little creaminess for knowing I have a freezer meal waiting. To freeze, make the recipe up to the point where you combine the sauce and the noodles, but don’t bake it. Instead, let the mac and cheese cool in the pan on the counter. Cover with a layer of aluminum foil. Then plastic wrap. Then freeze. It will keep for one month in the freezer. Bake from frozen for one hour. Top with breadcrumb topping and place under the boiler for 15 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden. CAN’T GET ENOUGH MAC AND CHEESE?!This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA March 23, 2019 at 09:04AM
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The Flat Belly FixThis is the only 21-day rapid weight loss system that allows you to easily lose an average of 1 lb a day for 21 days without feeling hungry or deprived. The unique and brand new techniques used in this System are proven SAFE. And they do not cause the rebound weight gain common to all the other rapid weight loss systems that are not backed by the latest science. The Flat Belly Fix System takes advantage of a recent scientific discovery that proves the effective weight loss power of an ancient spice. Combined with other cutting-edge ingredients in the patent-pending Flat Belly Fix Tea™ — that you can make right in your own kitchen in minutes — this System is the quickest, easiest and most enjoyable way to quickly get the body you desire and deserve. Click HereCategories
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