Archive for the ‘Pasta – Mac & Cheese’ Category
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac & Cheese
November 12, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac & Cheese

Sounds really good! Since 3 types of cheese is used, this is not a low cost dish.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry pasta, macaroni, spirals, any bite size pasta will work

For the Topping

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

For the Sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 block of 227 gram butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon chicken stock powder
  • 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
  • 3/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water until just tender, drain and rinse with cold water, set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 190 C.
  • In a large oven proof pan melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, then add in the panko bread crumbs and stir to coat and cook until golden brown, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the corn starch and 1/2 cup of the milk, whisk until lump free, set aside.
  • Using the same pan you made the bread crumbs in, melt the 1/4 cup of butter on medium and add the garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, whisk in the flour and whisk continuously, and cook for about 2 minutes then reduce heat to low and whisk in 4 cups of the milk, about 1/2 cup at a time. Bring this to a boil until beginning to thicken. Add the corn starch mixture and stir into the sauce to thicken it completely, season with salt and pepper to your taste and then stir in the chicken stock powder.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the Mozzarella cheese. Stir until all the cheese is melted into the sauce, then add the pasta and mix until completely coated with the sauce. At this point if you are using an oven safe pan, top with the panko bread crumbs and the remaining Parmesan cheese and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until bubbly. If you do not have a oven safe pan, spread the mac and cheese into a baking dish, then top with the panko bread crumbs and the remaining Parmesan cheese and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until bubbly.
  • Cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Notes

Cheddar cheese would cost about 70 Baht for just under half a 250 gram block, Parmesan would run about 150 Baht, and Mozzarella about 70 Baht for half a block of 200 grams. For 6 servings, this is about $1.42 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
August 27, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

I am not sure what makes this a "Southern" dish, but it sounds really good. I love a good Mac & Cheese. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
  • 4 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is about 1-1 1/2 250 gram blocks
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 block of butter, softened
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 block Cream cheese, softened
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Place cooked and drain macaroni in a large bowl, add 3 cups of the Cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, butter, and cream cheese. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Mix until all combined. Pour into the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Cheddar on over the top.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown on the top. Serve as a side or as a main dish.

Notes

Low cost meal for sure, well under $1.00 per serving.
For variants, ad one of the following, cooked cubed ham, cooked sliced smoked sausage, cooked cubed chicken. Even with these, still under $1.00 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Chili Mac and Cheese Bake
July 31, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Chili Mac and Cheese Bake

Sounds really good!
Print Recipe
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup corn meal
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 1/2 - 3 cups leftover Chili, slightly warmed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 220 C. Lightly grease a 9x9 baking dish with butter.
  • Cook the pasta but reduce the time by 1 to 2 minutes, drain and set aside.
  • When the pasta is cooking, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, corn meal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the egg, melted butter, and milk, mix until just incorporated, it will be lumpy, that is ok.
  • Spread the pasta evenly on the bottom of the baking dish then top with the cheese, then top that with the warmed chili (warming it makes it easy to spread). Now spread the corn bread batter evenly over the top.
  • Bake for 25-35 minutes or until corn bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve.

Notes

The chili is already paid for, your major cost here would be the cheese, figure that at about 180 Baht/block to make 2 cups of shredded. So for 4 servings, this is about $1.33 per serving, or about 90 cents per serving for 6 servings if stretching this meal out with a green salad on the side. Overall, a good use for leftover Chili.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,LEFTOVERS,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
The Lady’s Cheesy Mac
July 23, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

The Lady's Cheesy Mac

Cheesy Mac, always a favorite with me.
Print Recipe
Course Lunch, Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar, and stir to mix it in, then set this aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a baking dish, top with additional cheese if desired, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

The Cheddar cheese will be the most costly item here, at 180 Baht for 1 block, that should provide the 2 cups of shredded needed. This comes out to about $1.35 per serving for 4 servings. If served as a side, that would give you more servings.
Variants, and these will cost per serving is diced ham or cooked diced chicken.
Provided by The Domestic Goddess Wannabe and the link to this recipe is here.
Singapore.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Basic Mac & Cheese
May 17, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Basic Mac & Cheese

This is the basic recipe, add to it what ever you like, change the cheeses, etc. This is a building block, change it to make it fit your tastes. I have made this many times. I do not use boxed mac & cheese, something about powdered, glow in the dark cheese that is not right.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams uncooked pasta, of your choice
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, this is 1/2 a standard block of butter
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder, optional
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it just until just tender, about 11 minutes. Drain the pasta then set it aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, warm the milk until it is simmering then set it aside.
  • In a large heavy-bottomed stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until it turns light brown in color and has a slightly toasted aroma, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the dry mustard (optional).
  • Remove the pot from the heat then slowly whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture. Continue whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. (The mixture will become very thick and then thin out gradually until it is smooth.)
  • Return the pot to the stove over medium-high heat and cook the mixture while whisking constantly until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and reduce the heat to medium. Whisk in the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until they are melted and the cheese sauce is smooth.
  • Add the pasta, stirring to combine, then add what ever else you would like to add and mix in, cook just until the pasta is warmed throughout.
  • Serve with a salad for a nice meal.

Notes

Cheese is the biggest factor here, 1 cup of shredded cheese is about 100 grams, you would need 1 1/2 blocks of good Cheddar for 3 cups, about 180 Baht per block, cost would be about 240 Baht for Cheddar. For Parmesan, 1 cup is about 150 grams, that is about 150 Baht. Not a cheap meal. This comes out to about $1.90 per serving for 6 people. Reduce the price per serving by adding a vegetable side dish.
Variants: 1. Add leftover diced ham, leftover diced chicken, and a little on the pricy side, lobster, cooked prawns, cooked sausage, imitation crab, can or two of tuna. 2. Add cooked vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower to name a few.
Been making this for several years now.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower, Tuna, and Egyptian Roumy Cheese
May 17, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower, Tuna, and Egyptian Roumy Cheese

This sounds good, but the Roumy cheese could prove very difficult to find. If you cannot find this, substitute Romano cheese in its place. With the tuna (best to use fresh tuna you cooked, not canned) and the cauliflower, this is a complete meal. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 225 grams pasta, of your choice, Canneroni works well
  • 1 kilo fresh cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces, include stem
  • 200 grams white Cheddar cheese, shredded, cannot find it, go with mild Cheddar
  • 80 grams Roumy cheese, shredded, cannot find it, go with Romano
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can tuna, in water, drained, OR use 1/2 cup fresh, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, toss with just a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
  • Bring a pot of water up to a rolling boil, add the cauliflower and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes, drain and set aside.
  • Toss together the white Cheddar and Roumy cheeses in a bowl, measure out ¾ cup and reserve it for the topping.
  • Add the oil to a medium large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic and rosemary; cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the milk; stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly, and then remove from heat.
  • Whisk in the cheese, except the reserved amount) until smooth. Stir in the pasta, cauliflower, tuna, and parsley. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  • Preheat your broiler (counter top ovens, use the top coil) and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and sprinkle the reserved 3/4 cup of cheese on top. Broil until the cheese melts and is bubbly. Serve.

Notes

Cheese would be the most costly item here in this recipe, all the rest is minimal. White Cheddar I cannot price, nor the Roumy. Yellow Cheddar, imported from New Zealand will run about 180 Baht for 200 grams. If you cannot find Romano cheese, go with 230 grams of Cheddar. Go with fresh tuna and that will reduce your cost even further, the rule is 1/2 cup of fresh cooked tuna = 1 can of tuna. We'll say 200 Baht for the cheese and 40 baht for a can of tuna, this comes out to about $1.75 per person for 4 meals, and $1.18 per person for 6 meals. Overall, not bad. Fresh tuna would reduce this.
Variants would be, cooked shredded or diced chicken instead of tuna, spring onions instead of parsley (need that green or the dish would look really bland), broccoli instead of or with the cauliflower.
Shortcut: Tuna.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Macaroni And Cheese Ham Pie
February 1, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Macaroni And Cheese Ham Pie

This sounds really good, a must try for me. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded (this 1 1/2, 250 gram blocks)
  • 1 cup cooked ham, cubed
  • 2 1/4 cups milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh parsley, chopped, optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oven to 200 C. Lightly grease a glass deep dish pie pan or 9x13 baking dish with butter. In large bowl, mix 2 cups of the cheese, the ham and uncooked macaroni. Spread in the baking dish.
  • Mix milk and eggs until smooth. Add Bisquick mix and salt if desired; mix until smooth (you can use a blender for this if you want. Pour over mixture in baking dish.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with a green vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Cheese is the major cost here at 185 Baht/250 gram block, this will take 1 1/2 blocks, about 278 Baht for cheese. The ham would be another cost factor. If using leftover ham, that would be perfect. Store bought ham, Makro is between 150 to 200 Baht for 500 grams, about 140 grams would be needed here so we'll call that, 80 Baht. About 360 for cheese and ham or about $1.75 per person for six meals.
For variants, add a chopped onion, broccoli, or even try with cooked and chopped chicken.
Shortcut: Bisquick Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,LEFTOVERS,Pasta - Mac & Cheese