Smoky Fontina Mac Recipes

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It's going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
• Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
• Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
• Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
• In a large pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, reducing heat to medium-low, cooking for 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in the milk and water. Add the macaroni and cook over medium-high heat until boiling. Stir frequently for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, fontina, Gouda, and cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until fully combined.
• Transfer the mixture to a grease baking dish.
• In a medium skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
• Add the crushed crackers and stir to combine. Toast the crumbs until browned, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Sprinkle the toasted crumbs over the macaroni and cheese, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes.
• Serve with fresh basil
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.
• In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Using whisk, stir in flour, salt and onion. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until mixture smells nutty and is lightly golden, stirring constantly with whisk.
• Add milk. Continue to beat with whisk, scraping bottom of skillet until mixture heats to boiling. Mixture will thicken. Remove from heat; add cheese and thyme. Stir with whisk until smooth. Stir in drained macaroni.
• Serve with additional thyme if desired.

Steps:

• Butter 2 quart casserole dish.
• Cook macaroni, drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again.
• Add macaroni to casserole dish.
• Sauté onions in butter, over medium heat, until translucent and tender.
• Stir in flour and salt, stirring constantly.
• Slowly add milk stirring constantly to blend.
• Remove from heat.
• Add Fontina cheese, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
• Mix together gently, and pour into casserole dish, and mix with macaroni.
• Top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350° F 30-35 minutes, or until heated through and golden on the top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in milk and continue to whisk until sauce is smooth and creamy. Simmer until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup fontina cheese, garlic salt, and pepper; set aside.
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add fusilli and cook for about 5 minutes. Drain. Return pasta to the pot and pour in bechamel sauce. Mix with a wooden spoon until pasta is completely coated with sauce. Gently stir in flaked salmon.
• Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top and sprinkle with remaining fontina cheese and panko.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 25 minutes.