Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
We all love macaroni and cheese, what is there not to love? But most of all I will never prepare the boxed kind, and that is to my son's chagrin. On my quest to find the simplest and most decadent recipe, pretty much all my cookbooks came off the shelves. You should have seen the mess! The below recipe is my adaptation. Simple, deliciously sinful and gooey… with lots of cheese and bacon… my kind of dish. The best part of this wonderful dish: 25 minutes and you have a great dish that your children, and adults, will devour. Who doesn't like that?
We all love macaroni and cheese, what is there not to love? But most of all I will never prepare the boxed kind, and that is to my son's chagrin. On my quest to find the simplest and most decadent recipe, pretty much all my cookbooks came off the shelves. You should have seen the mess! The below recipe is my adaptation. Simple, deliciously sinful and gooey… with lots of cheese and bacon… my kind of dish. The best part of this wonderful dish: 25 minutes and you have a great dish that your children, and adults, will devour. Who doesn't like that?
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 8 slices of center cut bacon cut into 1/4 inch thick pieces
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour
- 2 cups warm whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 1 1/2 cup shredded american cheese
- 8 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 3 cups uncooked)
- Carbohydrate 3.38622462511524 g
- Cholesterol 48.1389318352884 mg
- Fat 15.2654440275563 g
- Fiber 0.11817291805231 g
- Protein 11.8118519599199 g
- Saturated Fat 9.6775313239945 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (50g)
- Sodium 296.025626021028 mg
- Sugar 3.26805170706293 g
- Trans Fat 0.800537803300095 g
- Calories 198 calories
Step-by-step
- In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Reserve bacon fat in pan.
- Cook pasta per manufacturer directions.
- Whisk flour into the rendered fat. Cook whisking constantly, 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the milk, salt, mustard, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Bring to a simmer whisking constantly until thickened, almost 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Add both cheeses and stir until melted and smooth.
- Stir in bacon, chives and cooked macaroni.
Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese: A Mom's Culinary Adventure
The aroma of sizzling bacon and bubbling cheese – that's the symphony of my kitchen on a good day. And today, my friends, is a very good day. We're diving headfirst into a culinary masterpiece that requires minimal effort but yields maximum deliciousness: Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese. This isn't your average boxed mac and cheese; this is a revelation, a creamy, cheesy, bacon-infused dream come true.
Let me paint you a picture. It's a Tuesday evening. The kids are clamoring for dinner, homework is piling up, and the last thing I want to do is spend hours slaving over a hot stove. This recipe is my secret weapon. In under 30 minutes, I can transform simple ingredients into a dish that elicits happy sighs and clean plates. And honestly, isn't that what motherhood is all about – happy tummies and less stress? This recipe is my go-to comfort food, my quick-fix solution to a hectic week, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, every single time.
I've tweaked countless recipes over the years, always searching for that perfect balance of flavor and simplicity. My search ended with this incredibly easy stovetop version. It's rich, it's decadent, and it’s incredibly forgiving. Even on those days when I'm juggling a million things, this recipe never fails to deliver. The secret? It’s all in the quality of the ingredients. Freshly grated cheese, crispy bacon, and a touch of zest. These seemingly small details elevate this dish from "good" to "extraordinary."
Beyond the deliciousness, this recipe holds sentimental value. It's a dish that has brought countless smiles to my family's faces. I remember the first time I made it – the sheer joy on my children's faces as they devoured their bowls, the satisfied sighs of my husband. It was more than just a meal; it was a memory in the making. It's a dish that is simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough to impress guests.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your skillet, and prepare for a taste sensation that will transport you straight to comfort food heaven. The creamy texture, the smoky bacon, the sharp cheddar – it's an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Believe me, this isn’t just another mac and cheese recipe; it's a culinary experience, a testament to the power of simple ingredients and a whole lot of love.
This recipe is more than just a dish; it's a culinary hug, a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most fulfilling. It's a dish I'll continue to make for years to come, creating new memories and sharing the joy with those I love most.
Beyond the Recipe: This mac and cheese recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, add in some sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables, or even swap out the bacon for ham or sausage. The possibilities are endless! The key is to have fun with it and create a dish that suits your taste buds perfectly. I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen as it has in mine. Bon appétit!
