MACARONI CASSEROLES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch (3-quart) baking dish with butter.
• In a large bowl, mix the Cheddar and mozzarella, and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the evaporated milk, egg, tomato paste, garlic and onion powders, mustard, thyme, Scotch bonnet pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and a generous pinch of black pepper until very well blended.
• Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Stir in the tablespoon of butter until melted, then add half the cheese and stir until it’s fully combined and starting to melt. Stir in the milk mixture until the pasta is evenly coated. Pour the pasta into the buttered dish, spread it evenly and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
• Bake until the top is bubbling and golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 10 minutes to help it firm up. The dish can be made up to a day in advance, tightly covered with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerated, or cut into serving sizes, wrapped tightly and frozen. Reheat covered with foil in a 350-degree oven or in a covered skillet on the stove.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
• Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
• Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.