Macaroni and cheese lovers?

Question

What's a good way to give classic Macaroni and cheese a zip. How about spices. Which are good for M&C. I usually just use salt and pepper. Any ideas?

Answer 1

flavor the noodles, use Mrs. Dash. Also add a layer of crushed potato chips and cheese on top and pop into oven to get melted and crisp.

Answer 2

I love the addition of tomatoes to macaroni & cheese, the two seem to marry perfectly. Adjust the amount of chile to taste.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons minced jalapeño chile, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, the juice discarded and the tomatoes chopped and drained well
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar
1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
1 1/3 cups freshly grated Parmesan

Method
Preheat oven to 375

In a large heavy saucepan cook the onion, the garlic, the jalapeño, the coriander, and the cumin in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, stir in the flour, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the milk in a stream, whisking, bring the liquid to a boil, whisking, and whisk in the tomatoes. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes and add the cayenne and salt and pepper to taste.

In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the macaroni for 6 to 7 minutes, or until it is barely al dente, drain it well, and in a large bowl combine it with the tomato mixture. Stir in the Monterey Jack and the Cheddar and transfer the mixture to a buttered 13- to 14- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or 3-quart gratin dish. In a bowl stir together the bread crumbs and the Parmesan, sprinkle the mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture, and bake the macaroni and cheese in the middle of oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is golden and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.

Answer 3

Four Cheese M&C

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
9 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces cubed processed cheese food
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter; stir into the macaroni.
In a large bowl, combine the Muenster cheese, mild and sharp Cheddar cheeses, and Monterey Jack cheese; mix well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Add the half and half, 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture, cubed processed cheese food, and eggs to macaroni; mix together and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a lightly greased deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese mixture and 1 tablespoon of butter.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges; serve.

Answer 4

I make mac and cheese for our local bbq and my recipe seems to be very popular. The secret is the honey mustard which enhances the flavor of the cheese. The worcestershire sauce and the sharp cheese also add great flavor. Here's my recipe. Good Luck!

2 cups elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon sweet honey mustard
1 dash worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
4 cups sharp cheese (about one pound)

1. Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat baking dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle flour into butter and whisk constantly until you have thick, smooth paste, about 5 minutes.
4. Add mustard and worcestershire sauce. Gradually whisk in milk and continue stirring until sauce thickens and returns to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add macaroni stirring until well coated. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden on top and bubbly throughout.

Answer 5

I love adding a couple tablespoons of a the earthy, grainy Country Style Grey Poupon Dijon mustard:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/greypoupon/gp_flavors.htm

It adds a bit of zing. You can give your macaroni & cheese deeper comfort food vibe by grilling some polska kielbasa til the skin is crispy on the outside and putting in slices of this in your macaroni & cheese. Sometimes I put the polksa kielbasa in a skillet with some onions and carmelize the onions with it then fold it into my macaroni & cheese (with the added country style dijon mustard). It makes a great hearty meal.

Answer 6

Add a small jar of Cheez Wiz or a dash of cayenne pepper. The Cheez Wiz is THE BEST. I could eat the whole pot it's so good.

If this is for kids: When I used to work at a daycare center we would put canned tuna in it. The kids ate like there was no tomorrow! It's also cheap and easy...just add a side of green beans or peas and you've got a meal!!

Answer 7

okay Matt
here is what you and your mates can do to add some Zip to the mac & cheese
after you drain the noddles pour some Frank's Hot Sauce all over the noddles
toss it a few times and then add your cheese sauce bake and eat

add some caynen peppers, some jalipeno.
I like to add cubes of pepperoni to my mac & cheese
or serve it as a lettuce roll up
smear some horseradish on the lettuce slice some cucumbers and lay them on the lettuce and them spoon some mac & cheese into the lettuce

Answer 8

I'm sorry Matt, but some things just shouldn't be messed with. :( Mac and cheese (GOOD mac and cheese) doesn't need anything. If you want to eat something zippy, I suggest looking for a different recipe altogether and forget about your mac and cheese. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! :)

That being said, if you're ever in the market for a great mac and cheese recipe, you should try the one I use. From Saveur magazine. Three words for you: Oh My God.

Macaroni and Cheese

16 ounces macaroni, cooked according to package
3 3/4 cups hot milk
8 tablespoons butter, divided
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs


Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13 X 9 baking dish and set aside.

In large pot, melt 6 T. of the butter over medium low heat and add flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 - 4 minutes. (Flour must foam in order to cook the raw flour taste out. Do NOT let your flour burn.).

Add cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and mix well. Raise heat to medium high and gradually add in hot milk. Bring to a hard simmer, and cook and stir constantly for 3 - 5 minutes, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheese until melted. Stir in cooked, drained macaroni.

Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the remaining cheese in bottom of prepared baking dish. Add half of the cheese and pasta mixture, spreading evenly. Add 3/4 cup shredded cheese to that, and repeat with remaining pasta mixture. Top casserole with remaining cheese. Pour heavy cream (or half and half) over top of casserole.

In small frying pan, melt remaining 2 T. butter and add fresh bread crumbs, coating thoroughly and toasting slightly. Sprinkle evenly over top of macaroni and cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Answer 9

Mac N Cheese it is a great and versatile classic, you can make it so many ways I decided to just give you a link to the listing: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=easy+mac+and+cheese - Good Luck!

Answer 10

certain I definitely have had mac and cheese baked with breadcrumbs on the proper and that i loved it, it replaced into very tasty! another recommendations Mac and Cheese and upload a can of drained Diced Tomatoes Mac and Cheese and upload some chopped up hotdogs Mac and Cheese with upload hambuger