The Macaroni and Cheese Gourmet | Mac 'n' Cheese Recipes | Turn Mac & Cheese into a real meal

The Macaroni & Cheese Gourmet

If you're looking for a launching pad for learning to cook, there can be no better starting place than the old standby, Macaroni & Cheese. While it's something that most of us consider not "real cooking" it is actually an excellent jumping off place.

Once you learn some basic skills by doctoring your Mac 'n' Cheese, you'll be ready to take off on your own!

You can use just about any brand of commercially available macaroni & cheese for these recipes.

A few notes about cooking pasta

Pasta generally cooks best at a full boil in LOTS of lightly salted water. This means that for preparing a standard sized box of macaroni & cheese, you should use a large saucepan (at least 3 quarts – larger is better) filled 2/3 of the way full.

Bring 2 quarts of water to a full boil (set the burner on high) and add a teaspoon or so of salt.

DO NOT ADD BUTTER OR OIL TO THE WATER, this will coat the macaroni and keep the sauce from sticking to the noodles.

Add your macaroni and stir briefly to ensure that the noodles aren’t sticking to the bottom or to each other; do not reduce the heat.

Cook at a full rolling boil until noodles are soft but not mushy. (8-10 minutes) The exact cooking time will vary depending on your altitude, and the exact thickness of the noodles.

When noodles are cooked, pour into colander or strainer to drain.

Macaroni Normandy

Ingredients

1 package macaroni & cheese

1-cup milk

1 Tbsp Butter

½ tsp onion powder

1 pound package frozen broccoli Normandy (broccoli, carrots & cauliflower)

2 Tbsp water

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare macaroni as per the instructions above. As the macaroni is cooking, place frozen vegetables in microwave safe dish with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender. As the macaroni is draining combine butter, milk, onion powder and contents of cheese packet in your saucepan on low heat. Stir until butter is completely melted and contents of cheese packet are completely dissolved. Drain excess liquid from vegetables. Combine vegetables, noodles and cheese sauce in saucepan and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let sit 5 minutes covered before serving.

Macaroni Pesto

Ingredients

2 packages macaroni & cheese

1 medium onion diced

3 Tbsp Olive oil

2 tsp garlic powder

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1-6 oz jar of your favorite pesto sauce

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. As noodles are cooking sauté onion in olive oil until it is clear and soft. Add garlic powder and tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes. Add contents of cheese packages and pesto. Stir and simmer 5 minutes. When noodles have cooked and drained, coat lightly with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Serve sauce over noodles and sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Macaroni Alfredo with Sea Scallops

Ingredients

2 packages macaroni & cheese

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 med onion diced

1 pound sea scallops

1 tsp garlic powder

1-16 oz jar Alfredo sauce

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. As noodles are cooking sauté onion in olive oil until it is clear and soft. Add sea scallops and garlic powder and simmer 10 minutes until scallops are white (not clear). Add Alfredo sauce and contents of cheese packages and simmer additional 10 minutes. When noodles have cooked and drained, coat lightly with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Serve sauce over noodles and sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Fiesta Mac

Ingredients

1 package macaroni & cheese

1 cup milk

1 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp Olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 can (15 oz) cooked corn, drained

1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained

1 small can diced green chilies (3 oz)

2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, jack or Colby)

Directions

Prepare macaroni & cheese as per directions on box. In large skillet sauté onion in olive oil. When onion is clear and soft add corn, tomatoes, beans and chilies. Stir and simmer 10-15 minutes. Add 1 cup grated cheese, and the mac & cheese. Stir and let sit 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top before serving.

Macaroni Enchilada Bake

Ingredients

1 package macaroni & cheese

1/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp butter

1 can (15 oz) enchilada sauce (red chili sauce)

1 can (5 oz) chunk chicken

2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, jack or Colby)

1 small onion, finely diced

Directions

Prepare macaroni & cheese as per directions on box. Pour half the enchilada sauce into bottom of greased baking dish. Mix the remaining half of the enchilada sauce with the chunk chicken and mash thoroughly so that chicken is shredded. Layer mac & cheese, chicken & sauce mixture and grated cheese in baking dish. Sprinkle with diced onions. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Macaroni Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

1 package macaroni & cheese

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 medium onion

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp basil

2 chicken breasts, skinned, boned and cubed

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Prepare noodles as per directions above. As noodles are cooking sauté onion in olive oil until it is clear and soft. Add cubed chicken and cook 10-15 minutes stirring frequently, until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add tomatoes, contents of cheese package, garlic and basil and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in macaroni and ½ of the parmesan cheese. Place in greased baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Macaroni Florentine

Ingredients

2 packages Mac & Cheese

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp flour

2 cups milk

½ tsp onion powder

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

1 dash hot sauce

1 pound frozen spinach (defrosted)

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. Melt butter and blend in flour slowly over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Add milk, contents of cheese package, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Stir with wire whisk and cook 20 minutes. Add spinach and noodles. Stir and cook 5-10 more minutes.

Spicy Pepper Macaroni

Ingredients

2 packages Mac & cheese

1 medium onion, diced

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp basil

cayenne pepper to taste (1-2 dashes)

1 cup grated parmesan

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. While noodles are cooking sauté onion and peppers in olive oil until onion is clear. Add garlic powder, basil, cayenne, contents of the cheese packages and tomatoes. Simmer 10-15 minutes. Serve sauce over noodles, sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Macaroni Stroganoff

Ingredients

2 packages Mac & cheese

2 Tbsb Butter

1 medium onion, diced

½ pound mushrooms, sliced

2 Tbsp chives

1 tsp garlic powder

2 cups sour cream

3 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp cooking sherry

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. As noodles are cooking sauté onion in olive oil until it is clear and soft. Add mushrooms, chives garlic, salt and pepper and sauté 10 minutes. Add sour cream, soy sauce, sherry and contents of cheese packages. Stir ingredients well and cook an additional 5 minutes. Serve over noodles.

Macaroni Eggplant Marinara

Ingredients

2 packages Mac & cheese

1 medium onion

1 small eggplant, cubed

4 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 can (6 oz) black olives, sliced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp basil

1 Tbsp Oregano

1 Tsp garlic powder

1 cup grated parmesan

Directions

Cook noodles as per instructions above. While noodles are cooking sauté onion and eggplant in olive oil. The eggplant will absorb just about as much oil as you give it, so proceed with caution. When onion is clear and soft and eggplant cubes are soft all the way through, add basil, oregano, garlic powder, contents of cheese packages, olives and tomatoes. Simmer 10 minutes. Serve sauce over noodles. Sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Pizza Mac Bake

Ingredients

1 package Mac & cheese

1//2 cup milk

2 Tbsp butter

1 jar pizza sauce

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

pizza toppings of choice (pepperoni, sliced olives, mushrooms etc.)

Directions

Prepare macaroni & cheese as per directions on box, adding ½ cup milk instead of the usual ¼ cup. Place mac & cheese in greased baking pan. Layer pizza sauce mozzarella and pizza toppings. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Macaroni Taco Bake

Ingredients

1 package macaroni & cheese

¼ cup milk

2 Tbsp Butter

1 pound ground beef

2 Tbsp chili pepper

2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, jack or Colby)

1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh)

2 cups shredded lettuce

sour cream

Directions

Prepare mac & cheese as per directions on box. While noodles are cooking brown hamburger with chili powder. Layer mac & cheese, fully cooked seasoned hamburger and cheese in a greased baking dish. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve topped with lettuce, tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream.

Mac & Pesto Salad

Ingredients

2 packages Mac & cheese

1 jar (6 oz) of your favorite pesto sauce

1 can (6 oz) black olives, sliced

1 cup finely chopped broccoli florets

1 red bell pepper finely chopped

Directions

Prepare noodles as per instructions above. Drain noodles and combine all ingredients (including the cheese packets) in large mixing bowl. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.