Classic macaroni cheese recipe (2024)

How do I cook the pasta for this macaroni cheese recipe?

Macaroni comes in two main forms. While both are tube shaped, one is straight and the other curved slightly and known as elbow macaroni. Either of these is suitable for this macaroni cheese recipe, but different brands may have different cooking times. I find the cooking instructions for pasta are a little on the firm side, so put on a timer and check. If it’s still too firm, give it another couple of minutes. You don’t want the pasta to be too soft, but it still should have a bit of ‘give’.

How do I make the best cheese sauce for macaroni cheese?

The success of macaroni cheese really lies in the cheese sauce. First, cook your butter and flour, also known as a roux, until bubbling, stirring with a wooden spoon and making sure you get into the corner of the pan to prevent it from sticking and burning. You need to cook out the flour taste, but you don’t want the roux to brown. Adding your liquid is the most important step. Take the saucepan off the heat and add about 60ml (1/4 cup) milk. Whisk until the mixture is smooth, then add another 60ml (1/4 cup) milk. When the mixture is smooth and quite thin, add the remaining milk. Return to the heat. Swap back to a wooden spoon and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Make sure the sauce is completely emulsified and smooth before adding the cheese. Also when making a cheese sauce I like to season with white pepper rather than cracked black pepper.

What is the best cheese to use?

While there are a few cheeses that work perfectly in this classic macaroni cheese recipe, what type you use depends on who you’re cooking for and how much you want to pay. In this macaroni cheese recipe, we suggest using tasty, vintage or gruyère cheese. Tasty (another name for cheddar) and vintage cheese are basically the same thing, but have been aged for different lengths of time. Tasty matures for 6-12 months, whereas vintage matures for 12-24 months. If making this classic macaroni cheese recipe for the family, tasty is the best all-rounder. Vintage has a bitey, slightly more adult, taste. Gruyère is the queen of melting cheeses with a rich and almost nutty taste, but it does cost a bit more, so best to save it for a special occasion macaroni cheese.

How do you reheat this classic macaroni cheese?

While leftover baked macaroni cheese is easily reheated in the oven or microwave, a stovetop macaroni and cheese like this one can sometimes split upon heating. The way around this is to simply add milk. For each cup of cold macaroni cheese add 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Warm over medium heat, gently breaking it up with a wooden spoon. If desired, you can add a dab of butter and another small handful of cheese.

What are some twists on macaroni cheese?

Macaroni cheese is more versatile than you may have imagined and we at taste.com.au have the recipes to prove it. Mac ‘n’ cheese actually makes a great filling, whether it be in a cob, a spring roll or in a crisp and golden schnitzel. We’ve even turned it into mac and cheese muffins

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