FOOD 52 MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread, and toss. Set breadcrumbs aside.
• In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.
• While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.
• Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
• Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add sausage and cook, breaking apart into bite size pieces, until browned. Stir in flour until completely combined then add the milk and bring to a simmer. Once the mixture has thickened, stir in the cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups monterey jack cheese until completely combined and melted.
• Fold in the cooked macaroni, tomatoes, salt and pepper and transfer to a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with tater tots, then use a spoon to create 6 wells and break eggs into each well. Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, avoiding covering the eggs. Bake until egg whites are set, about 12-15 minutes.
• Top with sliced scallions and serve.