Copycat Boxed Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot you cooked it inches.
• Add butter and mix until butter is melted.
• Add cheese powder and milk, mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
• Taste and add salt, if needed.

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni in boiling water until it's as tender as you'd like it.
• Drain the macaroni in a colander, set aside.
• In the same pan over medium heat, melt the 1/8 cup margarine, then add the cheese powder. Stir until smooth with a wire whisk.
• Add the 3/4 cup of milk, a little bit at a time, mixing it with the wire whisk, like you were making gravy, stirring constantly over medium heat. As it thickens up, add some more milk until all the milk is added. Bring the mixture up to the point of boiling so that it's thick. Then add the cheese and whisk again until smooth and melted.
• Now remove from heat and add the drained macaroni. You're ready to serve and your macaroni will be creamy instead of that yellow runny stuff around your noodles.

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni and cheese as directed. Then mix in one of the following.
• Meat Lovers' Special Supper: Mix in frozen mini meatballs (cooked according to package directions), diced salami or pepperoni and a dash of hot sauce. (I added 16 mini meatballs).
• Tasty Tuna: Stir in drained tuna and frozen peas (thawed); top with canned french fried onions. Bake until hot.
• Smoky Peppers: Toss in a jar of drained, chopped roasted red peppers, some shredded provolone cheese and a pinch of garlic powder.
• Zesty Bacon: Mix in cooked crumbled bacon and canned fire roasted diced tomatoes (drained); heat through. Before serving, sprinkle with thinly sliced fresh basil.
• Taco Mac: Saute ground beef with a couple of spoonfuls of chili powder until browned; stir into macaroni and cheese with a little salsa. Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips.
• Chicken Divan: Stir in chopped rotisserie chicken, frozen broccoli florets (thawed) and a little dijon or honey mustard; heat through.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Add both boxes of macaroni (pasta only) into a casserole dish and add water.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 8 minutes.
• After 8 minutes lift foil, stir gently, replace foil and bake for another 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the crushed Ritz crushed crackers and mix.
• Lay strips of bacon on a plate and cover with a paper towel.
• Microwave at 30 second intervals until bacon is crispy.
• Once bacon is cool, crumble into pieces.
• When pasta is ready, remove from oven and stir in 1/2 cup butter, milk and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Top with remaining cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon and crushed crackers.
• Return to oven, uncovered, until topping is golden brown and bubbling (about 15 minutes). Serve.
• Additional add-ins: grilled chicken, broccoli, peas, tuna, salsa or ground beef.
• Healthy Alternatives: Use whole grain or veggie pasta. Add whole grain crushed crackers for topping.

Steps:

• In a sauce pan melt butter over medium low heat then add the flour a little bit at a time while whisking to make a roux. Heat the broth. Next add the broth to the roux, stir with the whisk. This will thicken as it heats. Next add a little cream watch for consistency.Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a separate pot, add salt, and pasta.
• In the other pot add shredded cheese a 1/4 of a cup at a time while stirring with a spoon. When you have about one cup of cheese in you can add the rest of the cheese.
• Cook the pasta al dente. Strain and combine with the cheese sauce.Pour the mix into a casserole and bake uncovered in a preheated oven set to 350°F for about 10 minutes. **Optional, you can mix melted butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle lightly on top.
• Keep an eye on the mac & cheese, you want it to brown around the edges and in patches on top.
• Let stand for 10 min before serving.