Winning Macaroni & Cheese Recipes

Best Comfort Food: Classic Macaroni & Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Harris Teeter Cavatappi or other pasta shape
• 5 ½ cups Harris Teeter Whole Milk
• 1 stick (8 Tbsp.) Harris Teeter Salted Butter
• ½ cup flour
• 2 tsp. Kosher salt
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 4 cups Harris Teeter Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups Harris Teeter Shredded Double Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9x13 baking dish and set aside. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions removing the pasta from heat 3 minutes prior to being al dente. It will still have some chew.
2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water. Return the same pot to the stove top and melt butter over medium heat. Once it begins to foam, whisk in the flour and cook for one minute. Slowly pour in the milk and continue whisking. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a slow boil and becomes thick.
3. Remove from heat and add the salt, nutmeg and pepper. Stir. Reserve ½ cup of each cheese then add the rest to the milk mixture. Stir until smooth. Pour in the pasta and carefully mix.
4. Pour the pasta in to the prepared pan. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly. For a darker top crust, place under the broiler for an additional 3-4 minutes. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.

Best Outdoor Summer App: Mac ‘n Cheese Stuffed Pepper Poppers

Ingredients:

• 10 large jalapenos OR 5 large poblano peppers, sliced lengthwise, veins and seeds removed
• 3 cups prepared Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 ½ cups Harris Teeter Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup roughly crushed Harris Teeter Crunchy Cheese Curls

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a tablespoon or small scoop, fill hollowed out pepper with cooked pasta. Top with shredded cheese and crumbled cheese curls.
2. Bake in a greased baking dish – 20 minutes for jalapenos, 25 minutes for poblano peppers. Enjoy immediately.

Best Brunch or Playdate Food: Cheesy Macaroni Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Harris Teeter Elbow Pasta
• 1 Tbsp. Harris Teeter Salted Butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 cup Harris Teeter Milk
• 4 oz. Harris Teeter Original Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 cups Harris Teeter Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups Harris Teeter Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 Tbsp. Harris Teeter Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup HT Trader’s Panko Crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until you can just bite in to it – about five minutes. Drain.
2. In a large bowl, add butter and egg. Stir in the hot, drained pasta. Mix until the butter is melted and the egg has coated the noodles. Add seasonings, and stir. Add in the milk and cream cheese, stir until combined. Add the cheese and mix well.
3. Coat a 12-cup muffin tray well with cooking spray and spoon mixture into cups. In a small bowl, mix panko crumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle on top of muffin cups.
4. Bake until firm and golden – about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Before removing from the muffin tin, run a knife around each muffin and gently twist in a circle to release. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Best Game Day App: Fried Macaroni & Cheese Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ containers of (cold) Harris Teeter Baked Macaroni & Cheese (or prepared mac ‘n cheese leftovers, chilled)
• 4-6 cups Harris Teeter Vegetable Oil
• 2 Harris Teeter Large Eggs, beaten
• 1 ½ cups HT Trader’s Panko Crumbs
• 3 green onions, chopped

Directions:

1. Pour oil into a large pot and insert a deep fry thermometer. Bring oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit over medium heat.
2. While you’re waiting for the oil to come to temperature, use a scoop to firm 12 one and ½ inch balls. Working on at a time, dip the balls into the eggs, then roll in the panko bread crumbs.
3. Fry a few balls at a time, cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Garnish with sliced onion and serve immediately!