Extraordinary Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Creamy, dreamy, and unbelievably easy! This 30-minute macaroni and cheese recipe skips the pre-cooking step, saving you time and effort. Adapted from a classic box recipe, this versatile dish is elevated with simple additions for a gourmet taste. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish. Customize it with your favorite cheeses for endless flavor combinations!

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 633.3 kcal
Protein 50g
Rating 4.3 (3 Reviews)
Extraordinary Macaroni And Cheese 99

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Extraordinary Macaroni And Cheese

  • 1 pound small shell pasta
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup fontina
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

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How to Make Extraordinary Macaroni And Cheese

  1. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  3. Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  4. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
  5. Gradually whisk in 3 cups milk, ensuring no lumps form.
  6. Add 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, and their juice.
  7. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
  8. Add 1 pound elbow macaroni (uncooked).
  9. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
  10. Remove from heat.
  11. Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or 1 cup fontina and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan for an Italian twist).
  12. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  13. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

43 g

Sugar

17g

Fat

102g

Carbs

19g