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  1. Hoss

    1 ratings12345
    Jan 27th, 17:06

    OK, I'll agree with you about using elbows, and cheddah, and keeping it simple. And as a big fan of Coleman's mustard (it's the secret to my salmon), I might have to give that a try. But you lost me at the cream cheese and eggs part. Sounds more like a custard.

    Me, I cook the elbows with very little salt. Don't rinse it either. Make a bechamel sauce. Add cheddar and parmesan cheese till almost all melted. Add to macaroni. Season with salt and white pepper. But you probably don't need the salt on account of the cheese. Put in a buttered casserole dish. (or individual ramekins) I like a 3-4 inch stack. Gives a good creamy to crispy ratio. Cover generously with more shredded cheeses and bread crumbs. Drizzle melted butter if you really want to get silly. Bake uncovered until brown and crispy. Which is about how long it will take to consume two glasses of wine. Let it rest a bit for all the fats to congeal a bit. Drizzle with some Cholula if you want some spice and a little acidity. That's my preference.

    Oh, and serve with a salad. You gonna need some roughage.

  2. ChristaSeychew

    1 ratings12345
    Jan 27th, 19:19

    Yeah, Hoss. The cream cheese and eggs are far from traditional, but I tell you, they make a damn good mac and cheese, and honestly there isn't really anything custardy about it-- and the recipe is entirely effortless; even easier than making a simple bechamel. I'm going to give your recipe a shot next time. My biggest problem with most baked macs is the separation factor; all of that marvelous cheese turns into congealed goop accompanied by thick oil slicks.

  3. RisingDamp666

    1 ratings12345
    Jan 27th, 23:21

    Ya gotta bake it. And Hoss is totally hip to white pepper: that adds a great layer of flavor. Eggs? Hmm....

  4. dsetzer

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 01:30

    There are a bunch great ideas here. Christa's eggs act as an emulsifier to keep the fats from separating out (especially the cheddar which is notorious for separating when melted). I agree with Hoss about using bechamel for the sauce base. My version uses a mornay sauce (bechamel with cheese) made with cheddar, parmesan, and gruyere cheeses. Stir in a little Coleman's, white pepper, and a dash or two of hot sauce of your choice. Stir into cooked pasta and bake as any of the versions above. Christa, I'm going to try your version. It sounds delicious!

  5. mepolo

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 10:07

    I too use a bechamel, and then add cheese to it, although with the exception of cheddar cheese, I usually use whatever I have on hand. I love to add smoked cheese....usually either gouda or cheddar.....to mac n' cheese...it adds a wonderful smokey layer to the dish. I too add mustard, and onions as well....then after mixing the cooked elbows (I prefer Barilla brand), and the cheese sauce, I top with breadcrumbs & bake until browned. I think I'm making mac n' cheese tonight!

  6. AdamFIx

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 18:41

    thanks christa (and commenters)! this is a great article. i've been looking for a good mac-n-cheese recipe. it's my girlfriend's favorite meal so maybe i'll try to make this on valentine's day or something. thanks for the help!

  7. Hoss

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 21:15

    Yeah, I want to try yours as well Christa, even though the thought of cream cheese makes me queazy (but I have cream cheese issues in general). I actually haven't made Mac & Cheese since about 2002 (because it's an unhealthy hassle), but my daughter digs it, so for her sake... by the way, she loves the Brodo version. I myself can do w/o Brodo even though most of my friends are big fans, but the Mac and cheese is neither gritty nor greasy. Quite good actually.

    Adam - get a nice big heart shape ring mold (a buck or two at Premier) and bake whatever recipe you use in that. A little red pepper coulis to pierce an arrow through it, and you'll win her heart for at least 90 days.

  8. Hoss

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 21:26

    And yes, I know that's about as "cheesey" as it can get...

  9. klondike54

    0 ratings12345
    Jan 28th, 21:39

    Love GOOD mac n cheese.

    Try one or more of these in your recipe:

    Drizzle Truffle oil on top before serving or you can coat pasta with oil before mixing with sauce if you just broil individual servings for a couple of minutes

    Chives or grated onion

    Chopped sautéed Bacon, Pancetta or Prosciutto

    Panko bread crumbs are a must

  10. AdamFIx

    0 ratings12345
    Feb 15th, 15:26

    just want to say thanks- christa, it must be nice knowing your articles are positively impacting people's lives. it was a v-day hit. and hoss, my roughage was top notch. thanks for the suggestion.