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“BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE” IS IN:

BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE 
1/2 (16 oz.) pkg. elbow macaroni (2 cups)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided
1/4 cup minced onions
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups milk or light cream
1/2 cup dry white wine (or water)
2 cups grated sharp cheddar (1/2 lb.)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (for topping)
salt and freshly ground pepper
cayenne pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp. paprika

Bring 4-quart salted water to a rapid boil and cook the macaroni until not quite tender. Drain macaroni and set aside.

In sauté pan, melt 1/2 the stick of butter (or 4 tablespoons). When melted, stir in the breadcrumbs and toast just until lightly browned. Remove breadcrumbs from pan and set aside. Wipe pan clean with paper towel and re-use for next step.

Breadcrumb topping: Melt remaining butter, add onions, and stir over low heat until onions are just translucent, but not browned. Stir in the flour and seasonings. Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the wine, then gradually stir in the milk or cream.

Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened and smooth. Add cheese and continue stirring until the cheese melts.

Combine the macaroni with the cheese sauce. Turn out into a generously buttered casserole dish (approximately 1 1/2 quarts). If you have any extra grated cheese, you can sprinkle this on top along with the 1/2 cup of buttered, toasted bread crumbs.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 20 minutes or until heated all the way through and golden brown on top.

Submitted by: CM

recipe reviews
Best Macaroni and Cheese
   #111610
 Cindy G. (Delaware) says:
Extremely good!! Takes some time for prep though so plan for an hour overall. I subbed the wine for water and didn't add cayenne, I also added 1 cup mozzarella in with 1 cup of cheddar (instead of 2 cups cheddar), then sprinkled cheddar on the top before the breadcrumbs. I also used a box of baked ziti (4 cups) instead of elbow macaroni and used a bigger casserole dish to compensate. I used dry minced onions to speed up the process. Lastly, I sprinkled additional bread crumbs on top of the toasted ones before popping into oven and it came out extremely good!!!! Highly recommend!!
   #115749
 Judy (Illinois) says:
Yummy!! I've made mac & cheese before and was not happy with the results - this was really good! Made as per the recipe, using only 1/4 c. wine and the rest water for that item - I wanted some of the zing without it being overpowering. For the milk, used half skim milk and half "1/2 & 1/2". Also, I added more breadcrumbs to the butter than it called for as we LOVE toasted breadcrumbs around here :) The breadcrumbs are KEY, don't leave them out!
   #116388
 Christina (California) says:
First time making homemade mac n cheese and I'm so glad I tried this one!! So yummy. I didn't have white wine but followed everything else as directed. Bomb!!!
   #135576
 Ruth Ann (New Mexico) says:
My family loves this recipe, and it has become the new family favorite. My children who are away at college look forward to having this dish when they come home. It is also excellent when made with gluten-free pasta and bread crumbs. I have celiac, so I always make one for me that is gluten-free and it is delicious.
   #139394
 Betty (Florida) says:
Best we ever had!! I cooked my macaroni in chicken flavoring and saved 1/2 cup of the water to use instead of wine. Gave it just a shake of garlic powder it makes a very large amount. It freezes well.
   #143509
 Tom Phillips (United States) says:
Mom put a little ketchup in mac and cheese. I have discovered chili sauce (right next to the ketchup) and I have used little ketchup since.
   #143625
 Jack's wife (Wyoming) says:
Mac and cheese is one of my husband's favorites, but I can never get mine to come out consistently the same. Tried this recipe and he told me it was the best I ever made! Took it to a family dinner and received rave reviews. Truly yummy!
   #146552
 Gage says:
I just made this for my boyfriend and I, he absolutely loves it. I'm just not a big fan of the onion taste, so I will be leaving those out next time I make this. Other than that, it is absolutely delicious!
   #153663
 Felicia says:
I love this recipe I am modifying it today I will let you know how it works out!
   #154018
 Cheryl (South Carolina) says:
This is a great recipe and easy to make. I made it with the wine but not sure if I would add it again. My husband loved it so I might. It really is a good dish,so I suggest you give it a try.
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   #156540
 Amy Rohde (Maryland) says:
My blue-cheese-lovin-butthead-husband gave this lower ratings because he said the cheese wasn't stringy enough (he wants it dangling from his face hair apparently) and the cheese wasn't 'funky' enough, resulting it in being blander than he would prefer. This critique was given some time between his first and third helpings. I think adding bacon or some more flavorful cheese would only make it better BUT NOT BLUE CHEESE! I would def make it again with some tweaks but it was yummy! Oh and his favorite part is the bread crumbs on top so maybe doubling them would be good.
   #176062
 Robert (California) says:
Absolutely a 5 Star! Excellent recipe. The best mac 'n cheese I ever made!
My only deviation from the recipe, I used a Penne macaroni from World Market.
   #177875
 Erin (Ohio) says:
It's really DELISH! This is the first time Iade Mac and cheese with wine. Followed the recipe exactly to RAVE reviews (disclaimer: we we're all high as a kite).
   #179513
 Snowghost (Virginia) says:
I have made this for 12 years, love it and it's a hit at every party!
   #180329
 Ruth Ann (New Mexico) says:
My family absolutely loves this recipe! It has become a family comfort food a Christmas night tradition.

 

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