Main Course Recipes
Mac & Cheese
4 servings
Most kids in the USA love Mac & Cheese, and the good news is that it’s simple to make, even when you try to prepare it totally from scratch. My recipe focuses on a rich blend of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese mixed with very warm heavy cream for a velvety texture. While you can keep it quick, I highly recommend the optional herb crust made with breadcrumbs and garlic for a gourmet touch. Whether you add chicken bites or enjoy it plain, this is the ultimate comfort food. Read More
Main Course Recipes
Before You Start
Let’s talk about important parts of the recipe before you start…
Simple and Delicious Mac & Cheese From Scratch
Most kids in the USA love Mac & Cheese, and I believe it is a staple that belongs in every home cook’s repertoire. The good news is that it’s simple to make, even when you try to prepare it totally from scratch. I designed this recipe to be approachable, using straightforward ingredients like heavy cream and high-quality cheeses to create a satisfying meal without unnecessary complications.
If you’re short on time, you can skip preparing the optional herb crust and still have a wonderful dinner. However, if you can spare a few extra minutes, the crunchy topping of breadcrumbs, herbs, and garlic truly elevates the dish. Whether you stick to the classic version or add protein, my Mac & Cheese is sure to become a favorite family dinner.
Selecting the Pasta and Preparation
For this Mac & Cheese, the foundation is, of course, the pasta. I recommend using 4 servings of macaroni, which is traditional, but you can certainly use another kind of pasta if that is what you have on hand. You have the option to cook store-bought pasta by following the instructions on the box, or you can prepare and cook homemade pasta for a truly scratch-made experience. Once cooked, it is vital to drain the pasta with a colander and immediately place it back into the pot to keep it warm for mixing with the cheese and heavy cream.
The Perfect Cheese Blend: Mozzarella and Parmesan
The heart of my Mac & Cheese lies in the specific cheese combination I use. I rely on 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to provide that classic, stretchy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines good comfort food. To add a sharper, savory depth, I incorporate ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese. It is important to have these ready to go so that when you add them to the hot pasta, they melt seamlessly into the sauce.
Creating the Creamy Sauce with Heavy Cream
Unlike some recipes that start with a roux, my method uses 2 cups of heavy cream to create a luxurious sauce. I specify that the cream should be very warm—you can easily reheat it in the microwave—before adding it to the pot. This ensures that when you combine the heavy cream with the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, the temperature remains high enough to create a smooth emulsion without shocking the ingredients.
Elevating with the Optional Herb Crust
If you want to take this dish to the next level, I highly recommend the optional herb crust. This involves preheating a fry pan on medium-high heat with frying oil and sautéing ½ cup of breadcrumbs (preferably Panko breadcrumbs) with herbs of your choice. After 1–2 minutes, take the pan off the burner before adding ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese and a grated garlic clove. This prevents the garlic and cheese from burning while ensuring a flavorful, crunchy topping for your baking dish.
Incorporating Protein Options
To turn this Mac & Cheese into a hearty main course, I offer an option to add protein. You can choose 4 servings of chicken bites or salmon bites. If you decide to add extra protein, prepare it first and put it aside. Then, during the assembly step where you add the cheeses and heavy cream, you can optionally add the sautéed protein into the pot. This integrates the flavors thoroughly before the final baking step.
Adjusting Consistency and Seasoning
Getting the texture right is key. After you thoroughly stir together the pasta, cheeses, heavy cream, ¾ TSP of salt, and ¼ TSP of pepper, you might prefer a thicker sauce. My tip is to return the entire pot to medium heat and cook until thickened. However, keep in mind that slight cooling will thicken the sauce even more. Always taste and add salt or pepper if needed before transferring to the baking dish.
The Final Bake for Texture
The final step brings everything together. I instruct you to place the mixture into a medium baking dish, lasagna pan, or oval au gratin. Evenly cover it with the optional herb crust if you made it. Then, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This short baking time is just enough to crisp up the crust and bubble the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese without drying out the pasta.
Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
Click any ingredient to learn moreMac & cheese:
4 servings of macaroni (or another kind of pasta)
2 cups of mozzarella cheese - shredded
½ cup of parmesan cheese - grated
2 cups of heavy cream - very warm (can be reheated in microwave)
¾ TSP of salt
¼ TSP of pepper
Optional herb crust:
½ cup of breadcrumbs (regular) (preferably Panko breadcrumbs)
2 TBSP of herbs of your choice - fresh and finely chopped (or 1 TBSP of dried)
½ cup of parmesan cheese - grated
1 clove of garlic - peeled and grated (or pressed)
Pinch of salt (adjust if needed)
Pinch of pepper
Optional protein (choose one or skip):
4 servings of chicken bites (store-bought or recipe here)
4 servings of salmon bites (store-bought or recipe here)
Nutrition per 1 Serving:(recipe split into 4 servings)
EstimatedCalories 755
Protein 32.4 g
Fat 50.9 g
Saturated fat 31.6 g
Carbohydrate 43.4 g
Sugars 6.3 g
Fiber 5.7 g
Sodium 1236 mg
Cholesterol 166 mg
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients above using the United States Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central reference data. An estimate, not a measurement — brands, sizes and how much of a marinade actually ends up on the plate all move it.
Directions:
1.Optional Protein:
1.1.
If you decided to add extra protein to your mac & cheese, prepare the protein you selected (based on the recipe) and put aside.
Note:
Disregard the step if you skipping protein.
2.Prepare Mac & Cheese:
2.1.
2.2.
Add:
Optionally, add sautéed protein
2 cups of mozzarella
½ cup of grated parmesan
2 cups of heavy cream
¾ TSP of salt
¼ TSP of ground pepper
Thoroughly stir together using spatula (or tongs if you selected a longer type of pasta).
Tip:
If you prefer thicker mac & cheese sauce, return the entire pot to medium heat and cook until thickened. But keep in mind that slight cooling will thicken the sauce even more.
2.3.
Taste and add salt or pepper if needed.
3.Optional Herb Crust:
3.1.
Set oven to 350°F.
3.2.
Preheat fry pan on medium-high heat with 1 TBSP of frying oil and add:
½ cup of breadcrumbs
2 TBSP of herbs of your choice -fresh finely cut (or 1 TBSP of dried)
Sauté together for about 1 – 2 minutes.
3.3.
Take pan off the burner and add:
½ cup of grated parmesan
1 clove of garlic – grated
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground pepper
Thoroughly stir together.
4.Assemble & Bake:
4.1.
Place mac & cheese into a medium baking dish.
4.2.
Evenly cover with herb crust.
4.3.
Bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes.
Popular questions
How can I make the Mac & Cheese sauce thicker if it seems too runny?
If you prefer a thicker Mac & Cheese sauce after mixing the ingredients, I recommend returning the entire pot to medium heat and cooking it until it reaches your desired consistency. However, please keep in mind that slight cooling will naturally thicken the sauce even more, so be careful not to overcook it.
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