Stovetop Avocado Mac and Cheese

Stovetop Avocado Mac and Cheese

ingredients:

10 ounces dry elbow macaroni
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 avocados, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh avocado chunks, for garnish, if desired

directions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Salt the water and add in macaroni. Stir and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, make the avocado sauce by placing the garlic, avocados, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

3. To make the cheese sauce, place butter in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When butter is melted, whisk in flour to create a paste. Whisk in milk until smooth. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sauce starts to thicken. Add in Pepper Jack cheese and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.

4. Place macaroni in a large bowl. Pour the avocado sauce over the macaroni and stir until well coated. Add the cheese sauce and stir until macaroni is coated and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm. Garnish with fresh avocado chunks, if desired.

Note-the lime juice keeps the avocado from browning. The mac and cheese is best eaten the first day, but it is still good the second day. The pasta may turn slightly brown, but not bad. If you want a milder flavor, you can use Monterey Jack or White Cheddar Cheese.

(Source)

Mini Mac and Cheese Pies

Mini Mac and Cheese Pies

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed

2 cups white cheddar cheese, grated and divided

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

4 and 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces uncooked)

One 5.2-ounce container of Boursin Garlic and Herb cheese

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch red pepper flakes

Parsley, for garnish, optional

(Source)

Panera's Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Panera’s Stove Top Mac and Cheesesource: Panera Bread

Ingredients:

• 16 oz pipette pasta or other small pasta shapes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half
• 4 oz white American cheese, chopped or torn into pieces
• 8 oz extra sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded
• 2 tsp – 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adjust according to your tastes)
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp hot sauce (like Frank’s)

Instructions:

1. In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain well.
2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a 4-quart sauce pan over medium heat.  When the butter has melted and has started to bubble, whisk in the flour; cook for 1 1/2 minutes whisking constantly.  Gradually whisk in the milk until no lumps remain.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook milk mixture, whisking frequently, until it thickens and bubbles, about 8 minutes.
3. Remove sauce pan from the heat and by the handful, stir in the cheeses allowing all of the cheese to melt into the sauce before adding more.  Stir in the mustard, salt, and hot sauce.  Return the sauce pan to the heat and stir in the pasta.  Be sure to stir up the sauce from the bottom of the sauce pan and thoroughly coat all of the pasta with sauce.  Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat until heated through.  Serve hot in bowls with spoons.

Mac & Cheese Bites Recipe

Mac & Cheese Bites

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 tablespoon butter

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, olive oil and salt; set aside.

2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for about 8 minutes, it should still be a little firm. Remove from heat, drain and return to the pan; stir in the butter and egg until pasta is evenly coated.

3. Reserve 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese and stir the remaining cheddar cheese, 1 cup of milk and 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese into the pasta. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese and the breadcrumb mixture over the tops.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the topping is browned. Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan in order for them to take shape.