This recipe is to die for. However, I gave it 4 stars because I had to adjust it a bit to make it work. The other reviewers are right, the cheese to noodle ratio is way off. The mouse likes her cheese a little too much! The macaroni has to be doubled to 3 cups, and I found it does best in a roomy 2 or 2.5 quart casserole dish. Since I'm not a huge fan of so much velveeta and processed cheeses, I went out in search of the perfect blend and found Kraft's "Classic Melts" shredded cheese blend. It's a combo of American cheese, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and monterey jack. I got two of the 8 oz. bags. I am pregnant, and this is my all-time #1 craving. Better than the Cracker Barrel's Mac & Cheese. :)
Excellent! And I agree with "bakechef" -don't use more macaroni! This is perfect just as is, as the pasta will absorb the "soupiness" either as it sets or as it bakes. Unless you want a gelatinous wad of pasty macaroni, "don't use more macaroni." This is classic macaroni and cheese just as it should be - creamy and cheesey and just plain comfort food good, with no sharp cheeses or extra, distracting spices or seasonings. I prepared this exactly as written, right down to the seasoned bread crumbs - for that I just crushed some herb crostini toasts. I can't see a mac and cheese recipe that could possibly be any better than this one.
This is great, whatever you do DON'T USE MORE MACARONI if you want the creamiest macaroni and cheese ever. The first time that I made it I thought that there was too little macaroni, but after it baked, it was absolutely perfect. I have also made this using 1/2 sharp cheddar and 1/2 american cheese and it was wonderful as well. I would suggest if making changes to still use 1/2 processed cheese like velveeta or american, as it lends to the creaminess of the sauce since it melts so well and doesn't separate like real cheeses such as cheddar, but I love using 1/2 sharp cheddar for flavor. This is my now standard recipe.
I followed recipe exactly. I hate when people change the recipe then rate it unfavorly. But I followed the recipe exactly. It tasted just OK. I won't make again. It tasted fine right out of the oven. But an hour later when I needed to serve it (it was still very warm) the cheese became lumpy instead of the creamy consistancy it had right out of the oven. So eat right out of oven or don't eat at all.
This is a very nice, basic mac and cheese recipe. The mac and cheese is perfect prior to baking in the oven. Baking dries out the sauce as it is absorbed in the macaroni. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup cream or milk (skim is ok) to make sure the consistency is very creamy and liquid prior to placing in the oven to bake. The bread crumbs are not necessary; a sprinkling of paprika for color does just fine. I also grate a little onion for flavor, use white pepper (and this recipe is rather bland without it) and use a variety of cheeses such as a good quality cheddar (love Hoffman's extra sharp - ultra smooth, yet ultra tasty), asiago, american, a bit of parmesan. Whatever your particular palate grooves to. If you love an ultra creamy, cheesy mac and cheese, skip the baking and dig in!!
i've been looking for a good homemade mac and cheese recipe and this works great! although i modified this recipe right away by using 2 cups of cheddar cheese bec no one in the house likes processed cheese. i also used 2 cups of macaroni. also instead of 1/4 cup of bread crumbs i used 1/8 c. of bread crumbs and 1/8 c. fresh grated parmesan.
This is one of the best mac and cheese recipes, and I've tried a bunch of them. I've made this several times while adjusting the recipe and I have one word of warning...don't increase the mustard! And I haven't been able to get it really creamy without the velveeta.
I used only velveeta, but doubled it to match the recipe and this was FANTASTIC. I even scaled it larger for leftovers, added a little butter and it reheated great. My husband said it was the best he had ever tasted and my 3 year old had 2 helpings! Thanks, this one's a keeper.
This recipe is wonderful, HOWEVER, I think a key ingredient is missing. My mother made the most amazing mac and cheese on earth! I've tried dozens of other people's homemade recipes over the years and every single one is bland in comparison. You MUST use 2 Tablespoons of MINCED onion (vidalia or another sweet onion is BEST to use for this, regular yellow or white makes it too strong) and cook the onion in the butter until soft then add the flour. I also only use 1 Tablespoon of flour. It thickens wonderfully in oven. You also need to use 1/2 teaspoon of salt (add to onions and butter with the pepper), even though the cheese is salty, it will make it perfect! I also use 8 oz velveeta and 8 oz shredded classic melts cheese by kraft. I promise you won't be disappointed!
