Lighter Macaroni and Cheese Recipe ๐ง
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Calories per Serving: 504.6
Description:
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this lighter version of macaroni and cheese, adapted from “A New Way To Cook” by Sally Schneider. With a delightful blend of cheeses and a hint of paprika, this dish is not only delicious but also kid-friendly and perfect for potlucks or cozy winter evenings.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup macaroni
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp sweet Hungarian paprika
- 1 cup Gouda cheese, shredded
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450ยฐF (230ยฐC). This ensures it’s ready when your dish is prepared.
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Prepare the Dish: Lightly grease a 2-quart ovenproof dish with some of the unsalted butter, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Set aside for later.
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Make the Rice Cream: In a small saucepan, rinse with cold water then add the rice flour. Gradually whisk in enough milk to make a thick paste, then continue adding the remaining milk until well blended. Stir in the salt, chopped shallots, bay leaf, and ground white pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil over very low heat, whisking occasionally. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes or until it reaches the consistency of thick cream. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl and set aside for later use.
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Cook the Macaroni: In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a boil and generously salt it. Add the macaroni and cook until it’s almost tender but still firm to the bite. Once cooked, drain the macaroni well and return it to the pot.
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Combine Ingredients: To the cooked macaroni in the pot, add the prepared rice cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sweet Hungarian paprika, and all but 2 tablespoons of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined.
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Assemble and Bake: Transfer the macaroni mixture into the greased ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with the reserved shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
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Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your Lighter Macaroni and Cheese! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐ง
This delightful dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Serve it hot and watch it disappear in no time!
