Home Pasta Recipes The Chunky Chef Mac And Cheese Recipe
Chunky Chef Mac And Cheese

The Chunky Chef Mac And Cheese Recipe

by Eduard Anselme

The chunky chef Mac and cheese is one of the most popular dishes in America. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up eating baked macaroni and cheese or creamy Mac and cheese made with cheese whiz; everyone has a soft spot for this comfort food. In fact, the origins of macaroni and cheese are still in debate. You can also try out Ruth’s Chris Lobster Mac And Cheese Recipe.

Some say it was first made in Italy, while others believe it evolved from an English dish called cheese fondue. Regardless of where it came from, macaroni and cheese has been around for hundreds of years and continue to be the go-to comfort food.

What is Chunky Chef Mac and Cheese?

Chunky Chef Mac and Cheese is an easy-to-make, delicious, and kid-friendly dish that even your pickiest eaters will love. It’s made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, so you can make it any time of the day.

The best part is that it’s made with real cheese—not that fake stuff! So you know that this meal is going to give your family all the nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy.

The recipe couldn’t be more straightforward: Just boil some macaroni and then stir in some milk, butter, salt, pepper, and cheese until everything is nice and creamy (and delicious!). The perfect side dish for any meal!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 tablespoons of butter, melted (you can also use olive oil)
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of pepper
  • Dash of paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Cook pasta according to directions on the package, drain, and set aside
  3. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it bubbles slightly
  4. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute
  5. Whisk in milk slowly, constantly stirring until smooth
  6. Add cheese, salt, pepper, and mustard powder and whisk until smooth again
  7. Add cooked pasta and mix well
  8. Pour into a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs if desired

Tips

Here are a few tips for making the perfect baked Mac and cheese:

  • Use a large pot. For this recipe, we recommend using a large Dutch oven or other large pot with high sides so that the dish doesn’t boil over in the oven.
  • Use evaporated milk instead of regular milk for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
  • Cook your pasta al dente! If it’s overcooked when you add it to the sauce, it will absorb more liquid and become mushy instead of creamy and hearty—not good!
  • Make sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the mixture; this will make sure that everything melds together nicely after baking rather than staying separated in clumps like some other recipes do (not good).

Storage

  1. Cover your leftover baked Mac and cheese with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help keep it from drying out while it sits in the fridge.
  2. Place your covered Mac and cheese in a resealable plastic container or large plastic bag before storing it in the refrigerator. This will prevent leaks from ruining your fridge when it gets knocked over or jostled around during transport!
  3. Make sure that when you store your cover-up Mac & Cheese that there is room between each layer of food so that air can circulate around them properly – this will help keep them, fresher, longer too!

Reheating

To reheat baked Mac and cheese, you can place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and heat it for about 3-4 minutes on high.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Once again, cover it with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation.

Ingredients Substitute

Mac and cheese is high in protein and calcium but also contains plenty of calories from the creamy sauce and cheese.

  • If you’re trying to watch your weight or just want to eat less fat, consider making your Mac and cheese with low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheeses.
  • If you’re looking for more ways to cut calories without sacrificing flavor, try substituting evaporated skim milk for whole milk in this recipe—you’ll save 200 calories per serving!
  • If you’re looking for a way to sneak more vegetables into your diet, try adding some chopped carrots and zucchini to your next batch of baked Mac and cheese. Just add them in with the cheese sauce before pouring it over the noodles or layer them on top after they’re cooked.
  • If you want a healthier version of this dish, try replacing half of the butter in the recipe with olive oil or coconut oil instead. You’ll still get all of that creamy goodness without all of those extra calories!

Health Benefits

Here are some of the health benefits of macaroni and cheese:

  1. Boosts your immune system: The vitamin C found in broccoli helps boost your immune system by fighting off bacteria and viruses that cause illness. Vitamin A also supports eye health, skin health, metabolism, growth, development, and reproductive health by keeping you looking young.
  2. Helps maintain a healthy weight: Studied have found that people who eat more whole grains tend to weigh less than those who don’t because they’re more filling than refined grains like white pasta like macaroni noodles which contain more carbs than whole wheat pasta (which makes them fattier). Also because they’re made from all-natural ingredients such as milk (which contains calcium) rather than unhealthy ones like oil or butter which can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 442
  • Protein: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 54g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Sodium: 596mg

FAQ

What is the best cheese to use for homemade Mac and cheese?

The best cheese to use for homemade Mac and cheese is cheddar.
Cheddar is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese originally produced in the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England. It has been made since the 12th century.
Cheddar cheese has a mild flavor that melts easily, so it’s perfect for macaroni and cheese. It also has a crumbly texture, which is great for getting that delicious cheesy flavor in every bite.

What does adding an egg to Mac and cheese do?

Adding an egg to Mac and cheese is a great way to add protein and make the dish more filling. It also helps bind the cheese sauce together, so you’re less likely to have a watery mess on your plate.

Conclusion

Unsurprisingly, this chunky chef mac and cheese recipe is absolutely amazing. It’s got all the right flavors, it’s easy to make, and it’s surprisingly not that unhealthy for you. Seriously, get in here and make yourself a plate. You’ll be glad you did.

Chunky Chef Mac And Cheese

Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )
Serves: 4 Prep Time: Cooking Time: Nutrition facts: 442 calories 17 grams fat

Ingredients

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 tablespoons of butter, melted (you can also use olive oil)
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of pepper
  • Dash of paprika (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Cook pasta according to directions on the package, drain and set aside
  • In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it bubbles slightly
  • Add the flour and cook for 1 minute
  • Whisk in milk slowly, constantly stirring until smooth
  • Add cheese, salt, pepper and mustard powder and whisk until smooth again
  • Add cooked pasta and mix well
  • Pour into a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs if desired
Did You Make This Recipe?
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